CI, 



m 
m . 



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HISTOEICAL SKETCH 



OF THE 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

IN BELCHERTOWN, MASS., ^^- 

FROM ITS ORGANIZATION, 114 YEARS, 



"WITH NOTICES OF 

THE PASTORS AND OFFICEES, 

AND LIST OF COMMUNICANTS CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, 

TRACING GENEALOGIES, INTERMARRIAGES AND FAMILY RELATIVES. 

ALSO, EMBRACING NUMEROUS FACTS AND INCIDENTS RELATING 

TO THE FIRST SETTLERS AND 

EARLY HISTORY OF THE PLACE. 
By HON. MARK DOOLITTLE. 



"I will remember the work of the Lord: Surely I will remember thy 
wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy 
doings." "Thy way O God, is in the Sanctuary r Who is so great » 
God as our God." 



NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 

PUBLISHED BY HOPKINS, BRIDGMAN & CO. 

1852. 



^. 



K-l 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1852, 

By Hopkins, Bredgman & Co., 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Mass. 



. TAYLOR, PRINTER. 
SPRINOriELD, MASS. 



PREFACE. 



In giving the following pages to the pub- 
lic through the press, a few introductory re- 
marks seem to me appropriate. In the un- 
dertaking and progress of collecting materials 
comprised in this little volume, the thought 
of giving them to the public in this way never 
entered my mind. The labor was begun, in 
a limited way, many years since, and attend- 
ed to only when other things did not press, 
as a paramount claim upon my time, and 
pursued to gratify my own curiosity, having a 
desire to learn who, in by-gone days, occu- 
pied the places we now occupy ; whence they 
were, and what they were in condition, char- 
acter and pursuits, in life's short pilgrimage. 
The more I gathered relating to them the 
greater was my desire to gather more, and 
extend it to their whole history, political, civil, 
religious, and social; and this, from all the 
sources within my reach, records, writings 
and orally, carefully preserving all that seem- 
ed to aid me in attaining my object. Some 
six years since, in looking over my loose 



PKEFACE. 



sheets, I found them more voluminous than 
I had supposed, and not a httle chaotic. I 
saw tiiat if they were ever to be of any use to 
anybody they must be arranged in a more 
systematic manner. This I did, by giving 
them the form of connected historical narra- 
tive. Some of the inhabitants here, knowing 
that I had such manuscripts, desired me to 
give them in the form of Lectures, to the peo- 
ple. This I did during the winter of 1846-7, 
taking such portions of them as were suited 
to such a course. After these lectures were 
closed, desires were repeatedly expressed to 
me to let them go to the public through the 
press, or particular parts of them, if the whole 
could not be given. Such requests were 
made by those connected with some of the 
public periodical journals of the day, as well 
as by others. I declined giving them, imag- 
ining that if the results of my labors would 
give interest or edification at any period of 
time, it could be so only in future years, to 
those that will live after us ; that the present 
generation would take little or no interest in 
the matter, more especially, as the settlement 
in this place was some seventy years later 
than that in some other towns in the County: 
Nothing has gone out from them through the 



PREFACE. 



press, except a short extract published in the 
"Historical and Genealogical Register/' the 
April number, 1848, and that was furnished 
at the request of Rev. Dr. Coggswell, editor 
of that journal. A few months since, the 
Congregational Church in this place, whose 
history is sketched in these pages, took action 
on the subject, which appears from their vote 
in the following extract from the church rec- 
ords, which has been communicated to me. 
" It being known that the Hon. Mark Doo- 
little has at much expense of time and labor 
been gathering facts respecting the early his- 
tory of the town, with notices of the first set- 
tlers, and a sketch of the Congregational 
Church from its organization to the present 
time, the publication of which might be de- 
sirable, the church appointed a committee of 
seven, including the pastor, to confer with Mr. 
Doolittle on this subject The committee, re- 
ported, that conferring with Mr. Doolittle he 
expressed a readiness to make any disposal 
of his work which would meet the wishes of 
tlie community, and freely submitted his pa- 
pers to their inspection. From a partial ex- 
amination of them, they were satisfied that he 
had prosecuted his researches with great in- 
dustry and fidelity, and had prepared a work 
of much interest and value, and in accord- 
ance with their recommendation, the church 
unanimously voted that Mr. Doolittle be re- 



PEEFACE. 



spectfully requested to permit the results of 
his labors to be given to the public through 
the press ; it being understood, that as the 
author of the work, he alone is responsible 
for its statements and contents. 

A true copy of the records of the church. 
Attest, Sam'l Wolcott.'* 

Belchertown, Oct 4, 1851. 

This request of the Church, "unanimously" 
expressed, I cheerfully comply with. That 
portion of my collections contained in this 
volume relate, to a considerable extent, to the 
church, and the early religious interests of the 
place, though not exclusively to these. There 
is a tribute of respect due to the memory of 
those who established and sustained the or- 
dinances of religion here, in the early settle- 
ment of the place, and we of this day should 
acknowledge it. In prosecuting my labors, 
I have found records and writings very few 
and scanty. I have derived assistance by 
communications with many individuals, both 
written and oral; I would express my ac- 
knowledgments to them for the aid received. 
To none am I under greater obhgations than 
to Sylvester Judd, Esq., of Northampton, in 
permitting me access to his very extensive 
collection of antique things. In the course 
of my inquiry, for facts relating to the past, I 



PEEFACE. Vll 

have been forcibly reminded of the truth of 
the common remark^ that ^^ tve live in a 
day of progress^ Truly it is so, and the pro- 
gress is so rapid that it gives but a moment to 
witness passing events, and no time to turn a 
thought to the past. A considerate mind 
would seem to require some knowledge of 
the past, that it may the better direct its future 
movements ; especially so, as we derive'all the 
materials we can use as directories for the 
future from the store-house of the past. It is 
but by a careful survey of the past that we ob- 
tain a knowledge of the reality of things — 
things as they have existed — the truth of his- 
tory. Truth is all that ever has or ever can 
benefit men in their existence, or their acts in 
any thing. There is the same connection be- 
tween cause and effect now that there ever 
was. The laws of God's Providence govern- 
ing the affairs of this world are uniform in 
their operations, equally so in the moral as in 
the physical world. The results of the moral 
influences in the formation of mind and char- 
acter, are as uniform, and as well established, 
as any laws governing the movements of the 
heavenly bodies, or the changing seasons, 
and can be traced in their effects as surely as 
rain, sunshine, and genial summer breezes 



Vm PEEFACE. 



can be, in giving life and verdure to the veg- 
etable kingdom. 

A view of the past is both instructing and 
delightful. Ancient fashions, customs, usages 
of any sort, are not only objects of curiosity, 
but furnish substantial assistance to the mind 
in reasoning from the past to the future. He 
who would live usefully in the world, to any 
good purpose, must deal with principles, with 
facts and with men. There has been no pe- 
riod of the world's history more richly furnish- 
ed with all these, and suited to our instruc- 
tion, than that of the New England Fathers. 
The single, stern, unyielding puritanic trait 
that shone conspicuously in their character, 
regarding the claims of private judgment, the 
dictates of conscience, and the requirements of 
God's Laws, in defiance of all arbitrary des- 
potic power, however marshalled and impos- 
ing, is to be the touch-stone for testing the 
moral and religious character of men in all 
future time, and like the stone cut out of the 
mountain without hands, destined to fill the 
whole earth, to achieve the final triumphs of 
the millennial year. 

Mark Doolittle. 

Belchertown, Nov., 1851. 



INDEX 



Alphabetical List op Communicants in the Church, and 

numbers ideutifjing persons , 237 to 249 

Belcreiitov.'n. Topography 13 

Equivalent land ; Cold Spring ; First settlers ; 

when and whence 16 

First Precinct meeting by Legislative authority 84 

Town Licorjjoration 43 

Billing, Rev. Edward. First settled minister 18 

His ministry, marriage, dismission, sketch of. . . 25 — 30 

Beainerd Church. (See Church), 

Catechumen System 35 — 37 

Church. First Congregational organized 19 

Vote of 38 

Faith of 38—54 

Brainerd organized 68 

The two united 70 

Alphabetical list of members 237 

Chronological list of, with notices 84 

Clancy, E,ev. John. His call, installation and dismission 74 

Cold Spring. Township first so called 15 

Coleman, Rev. Lyman. His call, ordination, marriage, minis- 
try, dismission, foreign travels, publications, &c... 61-66 



INDEX. 



Communicants in the Churcli. (See Church). 

Chronological list of members 84 

Covenant. Half way system noticed 30 — 37 

Controversy relating to it 28 

CuEBENCY. Variation of 25—26 

Deacons 80 

Enfield, Church in organized. (See marginal number 206). 

Explanations of marginal numbers, &c 81 

Family Instruction, Religious, &c., its effects 44 

Forward, Rev. Justus. His call, settlement, marriage, 
ministry, death ; sketch of life, character and 
lineage 38, 54, 56 

Mrs. Forward's death noticed . , 55 

Genealogies of Families, Early Settlers and others. 
The John Smith family, (See Appendix A.) 251 



** Lyman 

" Bridgman 

" Stebbins 

" Towne 

" D wight 

" Phelps 

«' "Warner 

" BardweU 

" Hannum 

" Graves 

♦< Cowles 

" Henry Smith, Rev. 



,253 
.255 
.256 
.258 
.260 
.263 
.264 
.266 
.267 
.268 
.270 
.271 



(See marginal numbers (554,) {555), and (565). 



INDEX . XI 

The Doolittle family, (See Appendix F.) 273 

" Filer " (See marginal numbers) 380 

«' Root " " " 105 

"Walker " *< *' 99 

« Montague « " " 1022 

Law, the higher, regarded as obligatory 46 

Meetino House, the first built 19 — 27 

Second 50 

The Brainerd meeting house built 70 

Missionary Spirit manifested 46 

Mortality, ratio of 45 

Northampton, First Congregational Church in, organized 

(See marginal number) 105 

Oviatt, Rev. George A. His call, ordination over the 

Brainerd Church and Society 68 

His marriage, ministry, installation over the 

united Church, dismission 70 — 72 

Mrs. Oviatt's death noticed 73 

Pastors of the Church, periods of their official tenures. . . ,78, 79 

Petitions to the General Court 17, 27, 46 

Porter, Rev. Experience. His call, installation, mar- 
riage, dismission, death, sketch of his life and 
character 56 — 60 

Mrs. Porter's death noticed 59 

Also see Appendix N 271 

Precinct Meeting, the first called in the place by or- 
der from General Court. See marginal figure 
(1), John Smith 84 



Xll INDEX. 

PfiOPRiETOES, original, of the township 15 

Religion and Religious Institutions, importance of, in 

the estimation of the early settlers 20 

Their vigilance to sustain them 28 

Revivals of Religion 47, 48, 57, G3, 7o 

Reid, Rev. Jared. His call, installation, ministry, 

dismission, &c 66 

Mrs. Reid's death noticed 67 

Revivals of Religion. (Sec Religion and Religious Institutions.) 

Revolution, war of, 45 

French war, (see marginal figures) 42, 87 

Also Note B, at the end of the volume, refer- 
red to from page 29. 

Schools, first in the place 45 

Settlement, the first in the place 16 

Smith, Rev. Ethan, sketch of 48 

Stipend connected with ministerial call and settlement 25 

WoLCOTT, Rev. Samuel. His ordination as foreign mission- 
ary, marriage, travel in foreign lands, death of 
his wife, return, second marriage, installation 
and ministry here 75 — 77 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



OF THE 



Cntigregatiniial Climtlj nt 56tlrljrrtnmn. 



The territory, now Belchertown, is situated in the 
easterly p.irt of the county of Hampshire, Massachusetts, 
twelve miles easterly of Connecticut river, and fifteen 
from Northampton, and was never included in any grant 
made to proprietors of any other township. It was early 
known and designated as a part of the " equivalent 
lands,"" and so known many years before any permanent 
settlements were made within its limits. This appella- 
tion was given in consequence of the following histori- 
cal incidents. The first grant made of lands in Con- 
necticut by the Plymouth Council to the Earl of War- 
wick in 1630, and which the Earl soon assigned to Lord 
Say or Seal, Lord Brook and others, was very indefinite ; the 
territory conveyed was very imperfectly known. John 
Mason, as agent for the Colony of Connecticut, in 1661, 
bought of the Indians all lands which had not been be- 
fore purchased by particular towns, and made a surrender 
of them to the Colony. The Colonists then petitioned 
the crown for a charter confirming their rights to the 
2 



14 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

land. In 1662, Charles II. issued his letters patent in 
compliance with their request, and fixed the boundaries as 
follows : " All that part of his Majesty's Dominions in 
New England, in America, bounded east by Narraganset 
river, commonly called Narraganset Bay, where the river 
falleth into the sea ; and on the north by the line of 
Massachusetts plantation, and on the south by the sea, 
and in longitude as the line of the Massachusetts Colony, 
running from east to west, that is to say, from the said 
Narraganset Bay on the east to the south sea on the west 
part, with the Islands thereunto belonging." The north 
line of this grant, (as well as others) was still undefined ; 
settlements were beginning in Enfield, Somers, Wood- 
stock and SufReld, on the line between the two govern- 
ments ; these towns were supposed to lie within the limits 
of MassachuseHs ; the government of Massachusetts ex- 
tended its jurisdiction over them, and protected them in the 
Indian wars. This state of things continued for years, 
till Indian hostilities had subsided, EnglisL settlements 
multiplied, and lands attained to some value, when it be- 
came necessary to ascertain the true line between the two 
governments, with more accuracy than it had been done 
in the original grants. A survey was had, and it was 
found that the true line between the two governments was 
north of these towns ; they were within the Connecticut 
line. In 1648, Enfield was granted by the General Court 
of Massachusetts to Springfield; in 1670, a grant was 
made by the same authority, of the town of Suflicld to 
Maj. John Pyncheon. Lines corresponding with these 
grants included Somers and Woodstock within Massa- 
chusetts, and Massachusetts claimed the jurisdiction over 
them; Connecticut consented to that jurisdiction, upon 
condition that Massachusetts should grant a jurisdiction 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 16 

within its limits to Connecticut, of equal extent, as an 
equivalent ; such a treaty between the two governments 
was carried into effect. Ware, Belchertown, and Pelham, 
comprised the equivalent territory. At that time no 
grants had been made to any individuals oir proprietary 
"within these territories ; they were a part of the public 
domain. Connecticut continued to hold such jurisdiction 
within the Massachusetts lines till 1727, when they sold 
their right to the territory now Belchertoum, to seven in- 
dividuals residing in and near Boston, in six equal 
divisions ; the first division to Paul Dudley two thirds, 
and Col. John Wamright one third; second division one 
sixth to John Casicell ; third division one sixth to Col, 
Thomas Filch; fourth division one sixth to Adingion 
Devenport ; fifth division one sixth to Jonathan Belcher, 
Esq. ; sixth division one sixth to William Clark's heirs. 
During the months of October and November of that 
year, the territory was surveyed, delineated, and plotted 
on a chart by Col. Timothy Dwight of Northampton, 
This chart is now in my possession. It is evidently drawn 
with great accuiacy by the hand ot a master. Col. Dwight 
was much employed in his day in surveying and plotting 
towns in this section of the country. He was the grand- 
father of Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., late President 
of Yale College. Upon the sale of this territory to these 
proprietors, the jurisdiction was transferred to Massachu- 
setts, and the aforesaid towns within the Connecticut lines 
taken under the Connecticut jurisdiction. The territory 
now called Belchertown was called Cold Spring. The 
lines in Col. D wight's survey to the above mentioned 
purchases, contain 27,390 acres. At the time the town 
was incorporated, in June 1761, by the name of Belcher- 
town, it included an additional territory on the nortn, not 



16 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

embraced in Col. D wight's survey, of about 12,000 acres, 
a part since incorporated with Enfield. No sooner had 
these purchasers obtained the Connecticut title to this 
territory, than an attempt was made to bring forward a 
settlement ; to that time no permanent settlements had 
been made within its limits. The earlier settlers in 
the towns on Connecticut river, from Northampton, 
Hadley and Hatfield, had ranged over these hills and 
through these valleys for gain ; it was a fine hunting 
ground — game in abundance ; cattle were driven in herds 
from these places, during the summer season, to browse 
through these forests ; temporary settlements were made for 
the purpose of boxing the pines, and gathering the turpen- 
tine, and perhaps for securing a competent supply of candle- 
wood. An order had passed the town of Northampton in 

1 699, that no more candle-wood should be collected for use 
within seven miles of the meeting-house, on forfeiture of 
the same ; and another order by the same authority in 

1700, saying, pine trees were not to be boxed for turpentine 
within three miles ; these sources of gain must be sought 
beyond these limits, if sought at all. As a means for 
bringing forward a settlement here, the Proprietors pro- 
posed to make gratuitous grants to the settlers in the older 
towns on the river, of lands, upon condition of re- 
moval, and permanent settlement upon them. The propo- 
sals were acceded to, and several families from North- 
ampton, Hatfield and Hadley removed here in July 1731. 
The first pioneers were Samuel Bascom, Benjamin 
Stebbins, and Aaron Lyman, from Northampton, and 
John Bardwell and Jonathan Graves, of Hatjield. We 
have no local records of their transactions anterior to 
1739. From a Petition on the files of the General Court, 
in the State Archives, dated December 1737, signed by 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUIICH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 17 

the settlers, we learn that settlers were here, and 
something as to their numbers and names. They say, 
" they had twenty families, and more expected soon." 
They pray the General Court to grant them a land tax to 
aid them, " for they are about settling a minister and build- 
ing a meeting house." In another Petition presented to 
the General Court, dated November 1738, the petitioners 
say, " we have agreed with Mr. Noah Merrick to settle 
with us in the gospel ministry, and pray for the privileges 
of a township." Mr. Merrick did not settle here. In 
January 1739, another petition was presented to the Gen- 
eral Court, praying for the same privileges. In another 
petition to the General Court, dated November 1 740, the 
petitioners say, they " are greatly in debt for building a 
meeting house, outside covered and glazed, and a minister 
settled ; we are but twenty families^ and owe Judge Dud- 
ley and others over two hundred pounds for lands for our 
minister's settlement, and to our minister between two and 
three hundred pounds for salary and settlement. We 
have sustained preaching^re or six years, and have ad- 
vanced the estates of the proprietors more than our own 
by settling Cold Spring," and pray for permission to tax 
non-resident land to aid them. The names appended to 
these petitions were substantially the same ; in addition 
to the pioneers already named, they were John Smith, Eh- 
enezer Bridg?nan, Moses Hannuin^ Eliakim Phelps, Joseph 
Bar dwell, Nathaniel Dioight, Abner Sinith, Joseph Bridg- 
man, Benjamin Billings, Stej)hen Crawfoot, Thomas 
Graves, Joseph King, and Robert Brown. From the Pe- 
titions above referred to, and from others presented about 
the same period from the same source, we obtain these 
facts : that these settlers began to bring forward a per- 
manent settlement here in July 1731 ; that between that 
2* 



18 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OP THE 

period and 1736, inclusive, they had increased to twenty 
families; that in November 1740, they were but twenty 
families, and greatly embarrassed with debt ; that they 
had sustained preaching five or six years with that number 
and under very severe trials. The first records to be 
found remaining of the doings here by these settlers, are 
under date February 1739, and relate to the settlement of 
the Rev. Edward Billings the first settled minister in the 
place. Time or accident has removed apart of the record ; 
what remains is a part of Mr. Billing's answer to the call 
of the people to settle with them in the gospel ministry. 
He says, 

*'The two hundred acres of land which cost two 

hundred and pounds, and one hundred and sixty 

pounds to be paid in work towards building, at present, 
and forty pounds more to be paid in eight years, viz. five 
pounds a year, all which is reckoned as settlement. Af- 
ter a consideration of the call and invitation which the 
people of Cold-spring have given me to settle in the min- 
istry among them, I have, I hope, determined with a 
sense of my insufficiency for so great a work without di- 
vine conduct and assistance, and with a dependence upon 
the Lord Jesus in that work in this place, and do declars 
my acceptance of your call. Edward Billing. 

Cold Spring, February 22d, 1739. 

This answer was made to a precinct meeting held the 
same date ; a vote followed appointing John S?nith, Samu- 
el Bascom, Stephen Crawjoot, Aaron Lyman diVLii Jonathan 
Graves, a committee to agree with Mr. Billing about the 
time of ordination, and to send letters to the several 
churches to require their assistance. No record remains of 
the precise time of Mr. Billing's ordination, but from 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 19 

sundry entries on the precinct records relating to Mm, it 
is pretty certain that he was ordained in April 17 S9. 
A church had been organized here previously, but the ex- 
actness of that date no record tells us when. From sun- 
dry acts in their precinct meetings, their provisions for a 
place of public worship, the necessity they felt resting 
upon them to sustain the ordinances of the gospel, which 
appears fully in their doings, as well as the traditionary 
account of the matter, the evidence is quite satisfactory to 
my own mind that the church was organized in the spring 
of 1737. No church records are remaining of any thing 
anterior to February 26th 1756 ; what we have relating to 
the church, before that date is gathered from other sources. 
Connected with the establishment of the church, 
early in the year of 1737, was brought up the subject 
of erecting a meeting house ; preparations were made, 
in 1738 it was raised, covered, and used as a place 
of worship, though not finished till 1746, and then done 
in a manner suited to the embarrassed circumstances of 
the settlement. A prominent principle that seemed to 
govern all their doings, was to sustain the ordinances of 
religion, the ministry, and the stated public worship of 
God. To sustain these institutions was not a question of 
policy or expediency to be settled as freak or fancy might 
lead the way. In their estimation, they constituted the 
moral aliment of their lives, and were indispensable for 
their prosperity in all things temporal as well as spiritual. 
By examining the records of the doings of the inhabit- 
ants of Cold Spring for twenty years, in the precinct 
meetings, next following 1741, it will be found they had 
about seventy meetings, under warrants containing over 
seven hundred distinct articles to be acted upon; more 
than one half, exclusive of the organizing the meetings. 



20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

related to their ecclesiastical concerns. A prompt, per- 
severing and ever wakeful yigilance to sustain the great 
truths of the Bible, in doctrine and duty, and to give 
them efficiency in life, was, in their view, the only con- 
dition on which blessings could be expected. This was 
not an original thought with them. It was the Puri- 
tan doctrine, derived, from higher than even Puritan 
authority. It was taught by Patriarchs, Prophets, and 
Apostles, and holy men in all ages of the world. It took 
deep root in the hearts of the great Keformcrs in the 14th, 
15th, 16th and 17th centuries. It was the spirit-moving 
power which brought the Fathers of New England here, 
and sustained them here, in defiance of all opposition. 
It is this doctrine, in its results, that has given prosperity 
and success to the land beyond a parallel in the history 
of the world. I am not aware that the experiment has 
ever been made by any government in any age of the 
world, till it was made by the Fathers of New England, 
to require its subjects, by legal enactments, to sustain re- 
ligious institutions and the public worship of God, and at 
the same time extend equal governmental protection and 
toleration to all classes and religious denominations. In 
New England the experiment has been made, and has 
succeeded to a charm. The necessity of supporting the 
institutions of religion, and toleration to those of all re- 
ligious sects alike by government, was an article of the 
faith of the New England Fathers and of the Patriots 
of the Revolution. The people of this state in the very 
outset — in the compact on which hang our civil and reli- 
gious privileges, so far as governmental agency is concern- 
ed, recorded this article of their Faith. They say, " As 
the happiness of a people and the good order and preser- 
vation of civil government, essentially depend on piety. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUE,CII IN BELCHERTOWN. 21 

religion and morality, and as these cannot be generally 
diffused through community but by the institutions of the 
public worship of God and public instructions in piety, 
religion and morality, therefore to promote their hap- 
piness, and to secure the good order and preservation of 
their government, the people of this Commonwealth have 
a right to invest their Legislature with power to authorize 
and require the several towns, parishes, precincts and other 
bodies politic or religious societies, to make suitable pro- 
vision at their own expense for the institution of the pub- 
lic worship of God, and for the support and maintenance 
of public, protestant teachers of piety, religion and mo- 
rality in all cases where such provision shall not be made 
voluntarily." The requirements of the constitution above 
are that the towns and parishes etc., shall m-dke provision, 
at their own expense, for the institution of the public 
worship of GdD, and for the support and maintenance of 
public protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality. 
The reawn for the requirement is that the happiness of 
the people and the good order and preservation of civil 
government essentially depend upon it. The truth asserted 
as the reason for the requirement no one will deny ; that 
being so, the requirement is just and indispensable. The 
interpolation into the Constitution of the Commonwealth 
of a later date, adds a new article not found in the faith 
of those who originally framed it, and adopted it. The 
new article ratified November 11th, 1833, admits the fact 
that, '■'"piety, religion and morality promote the ha-ppiness 
and prosperity of a people and the security of a Republi- 
can Government," but does not recognize the truth that 
the happiness and prosperity of the people, or the securi- 
ty of the government essentially depend upon them, and 
therefore they do not require their support by the people, 



22 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Should the day arrive when there shall not be one organi- 
zed Religious Society within this Commonwealth, nor a 
public teacher of piety, religion and morality maintained 
or supported within its limits, no provision of the Con- 
stitution would be violated, or in the least degree infring- 
ed upon by it. He who stretches his faith to such an ex- 
tent as to believe that a Republican Government can be 
sustained, or the prosperity and happiness of any people 
secured or perpetuated in any other way, than by a general 
diffusion of religious truth and maintaining j9z/Z>/ic fea/icer« 
of piely, religion and moralvy in the community, is in 
great danger of falling into the same condemnation which 
Baileau said the Jesuits fell into — " that in jjroportion as 
they lengthened their creeds they shortened the command- 
ments.^'' 

Whatever human governments may ordain on this sub- 
ject can never change the laws of God, nor relieve man 
from an imperative duty to obey it. The great truth written 
in the frame- work of the Constitution by those who orig- 
inally framed it, is but a transcript of God's requirements 
written upon the records of all His providential dealings 
with men ; neither time, nor circumstance, nor the ingenui- 
ty of man, nor the constitutions and laws of all human 
governm3nts combined, can ever change or mitigate their 
claims. They will remain in all their stern demands 
while the moral government of God is exercised over the 
affairs of this world. 

The relaxation in the requirements of government, ab- 
solving men from the duty of sustaining the institutions 
of religion, is predicated upon false premises ; either that 
men will vo/imfarily give to these institutions all needful 
support, or that they are not essential to be supported as 
necessary means of prosperity and happiness to a people. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 23 

It is an attribute of governmental power, acknowledged by 
all, to require of the subject his aid and assistance in 
doing that which is essential to the maintenance of the 
government. It is upon this principle that governments 
levy their demands upon the labors and the property of 
the subject for the support of other institutions ; the means 
of education, support of public schools, public roads, 
and even the public guide posts, are deemed so essential 
to the public weal that each individual is required to con- 
tribute his share for their support ; men are as ready to 
support these voluntarily as they are religious instiiutionSy 
which are as essential to the public welfare, as any other, 
to say the least of them. "Without legal exactions men 
will not sustain these institutions, essential for the pros- 
perity and happiness of a people, as they ought to be sus- 
tained : merely voluntary support to any of them would 
be inadequate, unequal, and bring unjust burdens on a 
portion of the community, and can never be safely relied 
upon. Another argument resorted to for doing away all 
legal requirements upon men to sustain religious instint- 
tions is, that by such requirements men cannot be made to he 
religious, and therefore all legal requirements on men, on 
this point, are useless. Here, from a self-evident truth, 
false reasoning and erroneous conclusions are drawn. It 
docs not follow that because one cannot be made to love 
religious truth by legal enactments, that such legal enact- 
ments as require men to act in conformity to the principle 
of truth and righteousness are useless. If men were not re- 
quired by law to sustain any institution, or to aid any ob- 
ject, only such as they loved, or could be made to love, 
it is feared that the messengers of mercy, truth and right- 
eousness w^ould beg in vain at the doois of multitudes for 
aid in any thing good. Men cannot be made by law to 



24 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

love honest dealing, yet men are required by law to deal 
honestly. A law requiring men to support schools, does 
not necessarily make men love the object they are requir- 
ed by law to support. Men may be required by law to 
perform duties, both to themselves and others, without 
loving the duties the law requires of them. The require- 
ment does imply cr expect a change of character in men 
as the result of the enactment. 

The prevalent faith of the New England Fathers was, 
that government should require its subjects to support 
the instilutions of Religion and the stated public ivurship 
of God, and at the same time each and all left to the free 
exercise of their own will and directions of conscience in 
all matters of faith and practice. Whatever we know of 
them, deviating from this, were exceptions to the general 
rule. These Fathers had witnessed the struggles in the 
old world to cramp and subdue the faith and conscience of 
men by the iron rule of despotic power, and saw that it 
was all in vain. They had learned the extent of govern- 
mental power in this matter, as seen in " corporation acts, 
acts of unijormiiy and conventicle acts,'' in cruel per- 
secutions, in tragedies of Bartholomew days, in tortures 
of the rack, the wheel, the cross upon faith unconquered, 
till a world has wept, the sun and the moon darkened, 
and the stars withdrew their shining, without advancing 
one step towards accomplishing the fated undertaking. 

Another principle in the faith of the New England 
Fathers was, that the relation existing between minister 
and people, and the duties resulting from that relation, 
were mutual and reciprocal ; extending to all and to he re- 
ciprocated by all. There were no wild fowls, in that 
day, claiming the courtesies, the sympathies, the atten- 
tions, and the varied labors of the minister, while they 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 25 

loathed his ministration, to such an extent as to forbid 
their aid in his support and maintenance. Such a class 
should not claim legitimacy from Puritanic lineage ; they 
belong to a different origin. A care and concern were 
manifested by all for each, and each felt bound to lend his 
aid for good to the whole. 

In 1744, at a precinct meeting, they appointed a com- 
mittee to settle with Mr. Billing concerning the 40s for 

EACH FAMILY THAT COMES INTO THE PLACE, there be- 
ing some difficulty that arose by reason of some fami- 
lies going out of the place. Mr. Billing's salary was one 
hundred pounds a year and his wood, but varied, as the 
value of money varied. In 1 745 a vote passed in pre- 
cinct meeting, that Mr. Billing's salary should be paid as 
to rising and falling of money as near to what Hatfield 
and Hadley pay to their minister (as may be,) Mr. Bil- 
ling being present and agreeing to the same. The sala- 
ry also varied according to the number of the families ; 
one hundred pounds was predicated on %)enly families ; 
if more came into the place, an addition of forty shillings 
was made to the salary for each family. This was upon the 
principle that all were to be partakers in the support, as 
well as the benefits of these institutions — held as indispen- 
sable, not to a part only, but to all — and if so, the infer- 
ence was irresistible that all should bear a share in their 
support. When the salary had risen to one hundred and 
sixty pounds, it was deemed sufficient. It was never to 
extend beyond that sum, and to be varied, as to the num- 
ber of families, only when that number should be between 
twenty and fifty. It was a general practice in New Eng- 
land, from its earliest settlement till about the commence- 
ment of the present century, to connect with the call of a 
minister a stipend called a settlement, in addition to his 



26 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

annual salary. Such a stipend was deemed needful to 
enable him to sustain the expenses of living till the sala- 
ry became due at the end of the year ; this settlement, in 
amount, was ordinarily about the same as one year's sala- 
ry. It is evident that the settlement connected with the 
call to Mr. Billing, was estimated at a much greater 
amount. As the lands and labor in building a house were 
estimated, they were about 400 pounds ; the lands were 
unproductive and nearly useless. At the close of the 
first year after the settlement of Mr. Billing, May 1st, 
1740, a vote pissed, "to pay up Mr. Billing's salary an- 
nually to the first of May, and it is to be remembered that 
silver goes at twenly-nine shillings per ounce, and we pro- 
pose to pay equal to that.'' This was called old tenor. In 
October, 1741, at a precinct meeting, a vote passed "that 
money should be raised in the next rate to pay the cost of 
Rev. Mr. Billing's wedding. At another meeting held 
soon after, a vote passed to pay Deacon John Smith one 
pound eleven slmlings and four j^cnce, for Veal had for 
Mr. Billing's ivedding." Better, far better would be a 
dinner of herbs on such an occasion, with the feelings that 
prompted these acts towards their minister, than a stalled 
ox and contention therewith. Such a vote, to pay for a 
leg of veal, for such an occasion, at this day, might lead 
some '''■ to sign off," or cast a grimace-look at goodness 
such as this ; for modish vice, with ease, can dart a sneer 
at virtues obsolete. Another vote passed at the same 
meeting, to pay Thomas Brown thirteen shillings for can- 
dle wood got for Mr. Billing. These acts, though tri- 
fling in themselves, spoke a language full of import; the 
spirit that prompted them, gave life and energy and mar- 
tyr zeal and faith to persevere under trials most severe 
and discouraging. While voluntarily assuming on them- 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWlSr. 27 

selves these expenses, for the benefit of their minister, 
even to minute items, they had but scanty means ; they were- 
burdened with heavy taxes, and compelled to make great 
sacrifices for the support of themselves and their families. 
I give their own story in the case. In a petition to the 
General Court, they say, " Three quarters of the township 
is in the hands of five or six or a few more proprietors, 
who have drawn us into difficulties ; and now seem to cut 
us off. Some of us who own 150 acres of land only, have 
been rated in a single rate over twenty pounds. Some 
proprietors (non-resident) own thousands of acres around 
us, and pay not a penny." They pray the government to 
allow them to raise a tax on lands of non-resident pro- 
prietors ; this petition was dated 1741, drawn by Col. 
Timothy Dwight^ of Northampton, who was the first 
signer ; the petition was not at that time granted, but they 
persevered in their requests. In May, 1742, they petition 
again to the General Court for the same power, to tax 
non-resident lands. They say, "this township is a part 
of the equiualent land, so called ; the whole was owned 
by a few gentlemen who bought it of Connecticut, and 
four fifths of it or more is now in the hands of these gen- 
tlemen, or others that hold under them, and live at a dis- 
tance. About ttoenly of us have actually removed to this 
place with our families, and have settled a minister, raised, 
covered and glazed a meeting house. The minister's 
settlement is but half accomplished, nor has the cost of 
finishing the meeting house been yet expended (paid). 
The minister's house which we undertook, is neglected, 
and may rot down half finished ; this is all discouraging." 
" Our rninister must leave us if we cannot have aid.^' 
This petition prevailed, and leave was given to tax " all 
lands in the township, one p)enny an acre, to fulfil the 



28 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

contract with the minister and finish the meeting house.^' 
The embarrassed condition of the settlers referred to in 
these petitions, retarded the growth of the settlement. 
There was very little, if any, increase of population, from 
1736 to 1742. After the power was granted to tax the 
property in just and equal proportions, to sustain their 
Religious institutions, which were indispensable to their 
prosperity, the settlement advanced, and success attended 
them. Some of the means which they took to secure and 
perpetuate success, appear in their votes. One was an 
increase of the minister's salary, that his labors may not 
be lost. Another vote was taken to appoint a committee 
to see that there should be no disorderly conduct upon 
the Sabbath. With such a vigilance, success attended 
them. The population, for ten years next following 
1742, more than doubled. At Mr. Billing's dismission, 
April 1752, there were 50 families orov r. 

The causes which lead to the dismission of Mr. Billing 
arose from a difference between him and the church, as 
to the qualifications for church membership. A major- 
ity of the church had adopted the system of faith, known 
at the day, as " the halj icaij covenant.'" More than forty 
years previously, a controversy had arisen on this subject 
between Rev. Increase Mather, of Boston, and Rev. 
Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton. This controver- 
sy had been carried on through the press ; many of the 
New England churches were divided in opinion on the 
subject, Mr. Stoddard maintaining the " half way cove- 
nant " doctrine, Mr. Mather rejecting it. The occasion 
which raised the difficulty between Mr. Billing and the 
church at that time was the calling the council at North- 
ampton for the dismission of President Edwards. 
That council convened, by letters missive, June 22d, 1750 ; 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 29 

this church received a letter requesting their attendance 
to sit in council, by pastor and delegate. A majority of 
the church refused a compliance, alleging as a reason, 
that they did not agree with Mr. Edwards on this point, 
(the half way covenant), and voted their unwillingness 
that Mr. Billing should attend the council. He did how- 
ever attend, and sat in that council, as appears by their 
doings, contained in the life of President Edwards. In 
naming the members of that ever-memorable council, it is 
said, "The Rev. Mr. Billing, from Cold Spring, was 
present, without a Delegate." Mr. Edwards was or- 
dained at Northampton as colleague pastor with Mr. 
Stoddard, Feb. 15, 1727. Soon after his dismission, dif- 
ficulties arose here between Mr. Billing and the church. 
Several councils were called. This appears by records, 
though the nature of the difficulties does not appear by 
records ; yet they do by other writings still remaining. 
These councils were called between June 1750 and April 
1752, when he was dismissed. See note B. at end of the 
volume. He preached here a few Sabbaths after his dis- 
mission the same year. Afterwards, 28th March, 1754, 
he was installed as the first Pastor of the Church in 
Greenfield, where he died soon after. He was a native of 
Sunderland. At the time of his birth, Sunderland was a 
part of Hadley. He was a graduate of Harvard College 
in 1731 — settled here in 1739 — married Miss Lucy Par- 
sons of Amherst, a sister of Rev. David Parsons, the first 
minister of Amherst, in 1741. Rev. Mr. Billing died 
at Greenfield, about 1757 ; no record can be found of the 
exact time of his death. His estate was settled in the 
Probate Office, in this County ; closed August 1 760, 
when his widow Lucy was appointed Guardian to four 
minor sons, Edward, Ebenezer, Jonathan and Ethan, 
3* 



30 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

all under fourteen years of age. It is to be regretted 
that so little can be found, from which even a sketch can 
be draAvn of his life and character. I have never found 
a person that knew him, and have sought in vain the 
monument to tell me where his body lies. Traditionary 
history imputes to him unusual energy of character, ar- 
dent zeal and devotedness to the work in which he was 
engaged. As this church once embraced the doctrine of 
the " halfway covenant,'" even a sketch, historical, of the 
church would seem to require a passing notice of that 
system of Faith ; especially so, as various and erroneous 
imputations have been made upon those who embraced 
it. In " Fessenden' s Encyclopedia of Religious Know- 
ledge,'' jDublished in 1838, under the article "Rev. Solo- 
mon Stoddard, minister of Northampton," I find the 
following. " Mr. Stoddard was a learned man, well 
versed in religious controversies, and himself an acute 
disputant. He engaged in a controversy with Increase 
Mather, respecting the Lord's Supper, unfortunately 
maintaining that the sacrament was a converting ordi- 
nance, and that all baptized persons not scandalous in 
life, may lawfully approach the table, though they 
know themselves to be unconverted and destitute of 
true religion." In Barber's History of Massachusetts, 
published in 1844, in a sketch of Northampton, a similar 
statement is made as to Mr. Stoddard. Other writers 
have imputed to him and the divines and churches of his 
day, embracing his faith, the same doctrinal belief. 

So far as I know, it is the prevalent opinion at this day 
that the great errors which these men and churches em- 
braced and taught, were that the sacrament was a con- 
verting ordinance, and that such unrcgenerate baptized 
persons as were described might come to the communion 



COXGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWI^. 31 

table. The " half-ivay covenant " system, has become a 
part of Ne^v England church history ; a system very prev- 
alent in the churches, at the beginning of the last cen- 
tury, and should be rightly understood. In the exami- 
nations that I have been able to make, I can find no evi- 
dence that Mr. Stoddard, or the divines and churches 
that embraced his faith, held either of the doctrines im- 
puted to them. I have searched without effect to find 
any profession of faith left by them of such import, and 
am constrained to believe it exists only in historical error. 
I find summaries of their faith, penned and left by them- 
selves, and at different times, which I have no doubt 
comprises the compendium of their faith, as to the ordi- 
nances of the church. From the doings of those promi- 
nent in teaching the doctrine of the " half-way covenant,"' 
under date 1666, I find the following. "■ It is voted and 
agreed by the church, that such among us, being settled 
inhabitants, that give no ground to hope, ia charity there 
may be some good thing in them towards the Lord though 
but in the lowest degree, and sustaining and believing 
the doctrines of faith, publicly, sincerely and freely pro- 
fessing their assent thereunto, not scandalous in life, sol- 
emnly taking hold of the covenant, wherein they give up 
themselves and their children to the Lord, and his church, 
subjecting themselves with fear and humbleness of mind 
to the government of Christ therein, sincerely engaging 
to rest content with that share and portion of privileges 
belonging to them that are only in a state of education, 
in (Ihrist's house, during the time of their continuance in 
that state, and not essay of the breaking in uf)on the 
privilege of the Lord's Supper, and resting until they 
shall be adjudged upon due examination, to hold forth 
such an experimental work of faith, and seriously discov- 



32 HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ering and exercise thereof as may fit them for the enjoy- 
ment and improvement of the aforesaid privileges with 
comfort to themselves and others, and therefore be order- 
ly admitted thereunto by those of the church to whom 
that power is given by Christ — such persons thus qual- 
ified, upon their desire, upon due order observed, may 
themselves be entertained into a state of membership, 
and have their children baptized and admitted to com- 
munion in the church, so far as they are fit for the same. 
Also the adult children hitherto un-baptized, of consid- 
erate behavior, without selves coming up to the afore- 
said qualifications, may be accepted members, and them- 
selves baptized — Rom. ch. 14, v. 1 ; Matt. ch. 16, v. 16, 
18 ; Acts ch. 8, v. 12, and ch. 18, v. 8 ; Deut. ch. 26, v. 
17, 18, and ch. 29, v. 12, 13 ; John ch. 24, v. 18 ; 2d 
Cor. ch. 8, V. 5 ; John ch. 9, v. 21." I also find a dec- 
laration of the faith of those who embraced " the half-way 
covenant" doctrine drawn by themselves, minister and 
churchy and adopted under date of Nov. 5, 1672, as fol- 
lows : " Voted and consented to by the Elders and 
Brethren of the Church, that from year to year, such as 
grow up to adult age in the church, shall present them- 
selves to the Elders, and if they be found to understand 
and assent unto the doctrine of faith, not to be scanda- 
lous in life, and willing to subject themselves to the gov- 
ernment of Christ in this church, shall publicly own the 
covenant, be acknowledged members of this church. 
Heb. ch. 10, V. 28, 29 ; Isaiah ch. 44, v. 5. A form of 
words expressing the sum of the covenant to be used in 
the admission of members into a state oj education : You 
do here publicly take hold of the covenant of the Lord 
as a grace-bestowing covenant, subjecting yourself to the 
teachings and government of Jesus Christ, in this church, 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 33 

and engage according to your place and power to promote 
the welfare of it ; and we do here publicly acknowledge 
you a member of this church of Christ in a state of educa- 
tion, promising to watch over you for the good of your 
soul, and take care of your instruction and government 
in the Lord, and to make you partaker of such privileges 
as by the rules of Christ belong unto you. A form of 
words to be used in the admission of members to full 
communion : You do here publicly take hold of the cove- 
nant of the Lord, giving up yourself to him to be one of 
His, subjecting yourself to the teaching and government 
of Jesus Christ in this church, and engage according to 
your place and power to promote the welfare thereof. 
And we do here publicly acknowledge you a member of 
the church in full communion, promising to walk towards 
you in brotherly love, to watch over you for the good of 
your soul, to take care of your instruction and govern- 
ment in the Lord, and make you partaker of all such 
privileges as by the rules of Christ belong to you." 

The compendium of faith as given in the above ex- 
tracts, from the writings of those that embraced it, is the 
most definite and full of any thing that I have been able 
to find on this subject. From these it is most manifest 
that they did not hold the sacrament, one or more, as a 
converting ordinance. Baptism was administered to such 
as did not profess to have experienced religion; such 
were considered church members, as under the watch and 
care, and subject to the discipline of the church, but were 
in "a state oj education,'^ not considered by themselves 
or the church as regenerated persons. Hence baptism 
was not held as a converting ordinance to them. They 
were not admitted to the Lord's table. They must "not 
essay of the breaking in upon the privilege of the Lord's 



34 IIISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Supper." It is equally clear that a further qualification 
of christian character was needful before they could be 
admitted to the Lord's table " to full communion," and 
that character must be judged of upon due examination, 
and the question settled upon " their holding forth such 
an experimental work of faith and exercise thereof as 
would fit them for admission," and this work of faith ' 
wrought in them before coming to the Table. They fur- 
thermore say in explicit language, " the Lord's Supper, 
as to the subjects thereof, is not of equal extent with 
Baptism, therefore ought not to be administered to all 
the members of the church, but to those among them only 
as are endued with such measure of divine knowledge, 
spiritual affection, and lively exercise of repentance, faith, 
love, and new obedience, as they may feed on Christ 
spiritually in the euLiiig his flesh, and drinking his blood 
for their spiritual nourishment, and furtherance of com- 
fort and growth in grace." In this summary it is most 
clearly proved that they did not hold Baj^tism or the 
Lord's Supper, one or both, as converting ordinances ; 
neither did they admit persons to the communion table 
known to be destitute of religion. It will be found more- 
over, in examining the controversy between Mr. Stod- 
dard and Mr. Mather, before alluded to, that Mr. Stod- 
dard did not attempt to maintain either of these articles 
of faith as they are imputed to him. The position which 
he assumed for claiming jurisdiction over baptized per- 
sons, bringing them under the watch, care and discipline 
of the church, placing them in "a state of education," 
and admitting them as members of the church, while they 
were unregenerate and destitute of religion, was upon a 
supposed strong and close analogy between the constitu- 
tion of the Jewish and Christian Church. The masterly 



CONGREGATIONAL CIIUKCII IN BELCIIERTOWN. 35 

argument of President Edwards, in his review of Mr. 
Stoddard's theory on the subject, was mainly directed to 
obviate arguments drawn from that source, and to show 
that (whatever analogy there might have been in the 
constitution of the church under the former and latter 
dispensation) none were admitted as members of the 
Christian Church, by authority of Christ or his Apostles, 
but such as professed their faith in Christ. 

Those who held the doctrine of " the half-way cove- 
nant," claimed the right to exercise jurisdiction over all 
baptized persons on the same ground, that is, church gov- 
ernment under the Ilehrcw Theocracy. 

I find under date August 1714, at a meeting of an 
association of ministers in Hampshire County, who had 
adopted the "half-way covenant" system, a protestation 
of their faith on this point as follows : 

" If any baptized person living in our towns shall fall 
into any scandalous transgression, though he hath not 
actually owned the covenant, we will proceed with such 
person as if he had actually owned the covenant," 
assigning their reasons for so doing and predicating their 
acts upon the following Bible authorities, Deut. ch. 17, 
V. 2, 3; 2d Chron. ch. 19, v. 10; Exodus ch. 24, and 
Deut. ch. 27. 

This whole system of doctrine and practice denominated 
"the half-way covenant," very much resembled the an- 
cient "catechumen" system of doctrine and practice 
introduced into the christian church at a very early period 
of its history, about the close of the first, and beginning 
of the second century. The Rev. Dr. Coleman, in his 
learned treatise " Christian Antiquities," says Catcchu- 
\ mens., in the ancient church, were candidates for baptism, 
under instruction for admission into the christian church. 



86 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Those who were entitled to partake of the Lord's Supper 
were exclusively denominated the faithful ; they occupied 
the rank of approved christians, as the " half-way cove- 
nant" would express it "in full communion." There were 
several other classes of persons, who, though connected 
with the church, and forming constituent parts of it, were 
separated from, and inferior to, the former, being in vari- 
ous stages of advancement towards a qualification for the 
holy rights of the gospel ; these were called catechumens. 
The "half way-covenant" would consider them in "a 
state of education," and in process of qualification for 
"full communion." In the catechumen system, reading 
the scriptures, fasting, prayer, and various modes of cate- 
chetical and doctrinal instruction were resorted to as 
means for the station of " believers," or " approved chris- 
tians." They were kept in this state of pupilage for 
different periods of time. Mr. Coleman says, " in general 
it lasted two or three years, sometimes much longer." 
When duly prepared by this instruction they were admit- 
ted into the church, as the catechumens expressed it, as 
''believers," "enlightened," "initiated." As those who 
belonged to the half-way covenant express it, " to full 
communion." We learn from " Christian Antiquities," 
as well as from other ecclesiastical history, that the Cate- 
chumens were not permitted to partake of the Eucharist, 
though they were members of the church ; in the language 
of the half-way covenant believers, " they must not 
essay of the breaking in on the privilege of the Lord's 
Table." 

The instruction given to the Catechumens, was such as 
was suited to their age and capacity, and an indispensa- 
ble preliminary to their admission into the church. Cat- 
echumens were divided into several classes ; these varied 



COXGREGATIOXAL CHURCH IIST BELCHERTOWX. 37 

in diTerent cliurclies. The object of all the cliiirclies was 
to prepare the candidate for admission by instructing him 
in the doctrines and duties of religion, and was deemed a 
great safe-guard to the church against unworthy mem- 
bers, by hasty admissions. It is quite manifest that 
those professing the half-way covenant system re- 
quired more knowledge of religious truth of those they 
admitted to a state of education, than the primitive 
church required of the Catechumen. The reason for ad- 
mitting these classes of persons members of the church, 
was because without such admis>ion the church would not 
have that jurisdiction over them in instruction and disci- 
pline which was supposed to be essential for their right 
training to become members of the church in full com- 
munion. The catechumen system was not introduced till 
after the age of the Apostles. To detail more fully the 
two systems of the half-way covenant and tae catechu- 
men, would not be in accordance with my design in this 
sketch. By a comparison of the compendium of the half- 
way covenant, and that of the catechumen, the analogy 
between them will appear clear and conclusive. I cannot 
learn that any written summary of the faith, or covenant, 
or rules of action of this church, contained the half-way 
covenant doctrine. It is certain that none since 1756, 
has ever embraced any such compendium, yet there is no 
doubt the half-way covenant practice prevailed in this 
church, from its earliest existence till after Mr. Forward's 
settlement. The first articles of faith and church cove- 
nant adopted by this church, at its organization, are not 
in existence. Not many years after Mr. Forward's settle- 
ment here I find a vote of this church as follows : 

'' Voted, that we will not admit in future any person 
into the church as a member, but such as give j^rcpondcr- 
4 



88 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ating evidence, or such evidence as the circumstances of 
the case will admit, that they are really such as they 
profess to be ; that is christians, and by christians we 
mean regenerated persons." 

The date of this vote is a little uncertain, probably as 
late or later than 1770 ; but the practice in the church had 
prevailed, as expressed in the vote, before the vote was 
taken. The church articles of faith since 1756, have 
been those known as orthodox. From the dismission of 
Mr. Billing, the people remained destitute of a settled 
ministry about three years and ten months ; they, how- 
ever, sustained preaching and maintained the ordinances. 
Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Pierce, and others, ministered to 
them. Mr. Forward came among them for a supply, by 
invitation, in the fall of 1755. On the 8th of December, 
at a precinct meeting, a committee was appointed to see 
him in relation to the continuing his labors among them. 
Mr. Forward had been engaged to supply for a time, and 
had fulfilled the engagement. The committee were au- 
thorized to call a meeting to consider the subject of 
giving him a call to settle among them. A meeting was 
called and lioldcn on the ninth day of January 1756; 
the subject considered and a call given by a universal 
vote, and a committee chosen to treat with Mr. Forward, 
on the subject of his settlement. Various proposals were 
made as to terms, which were not satisfactory ; the diffi- 
culty attending the negotiation seemed to arise from the 
fluctuation of the currency, or how to estimate the real 
value of nominal sums. Nominal sums were continually 
varying as to their intrinsic worth. It was finally pro- 
posed to offer Mr. Forward one hundred acres of land, 
and eighty pounds in lawful money, to be paid in labor 
towards building Mr. Forward a house, for settlement. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 39 

And for salary, to give him forty-six pounds thirteen 
shillings and four pence, lawful money the first year, and 
raise one pound six shillings and eight pence a year, for 
ten years to come, which will make it sixty pounds, and 
then after ten years, to pay him sixty pounds lawful 
money a year, so long as he continues pastor of this 
church, and cut and draw his fire-wood, off from Mr. 
Forward's own land. To the call of the people to settle 
with them and the proposals ofi*ered him, Mr. Forward 
returned the following answer. 

*' To the church of Christ, in the township of Cold- 
Spring, and to the inhabitants of said town, greeting ; 

Beloved and Friends. — I have taken into consideration 
your invitation to me, to settle among you, in the work 
of the gospel ministry, as manifested to me by your com- 
mittee, on the evenings succeeding the 9th and the 19th 
of January, as also the offers of the town to induce me so 
to do, and proposals respecting provision for my mainten- 
ance, and outward support, in case I should settle in that 
work among you as manifested to me by the same com- 
mittee, on the evening last mentioned, and for your good 
will towards me hereby manifested, I can but render you 
my grateful acknowledgments, I have taken the advice 
of those of my friends whom I had opportunity to consult 
respecting this aff'air, and I hope seriously considered, 
and diligently weighed and pondered the case before 
me, in all the apparent circumstances of it, and begged 
direction of Almighty God, in this important case, con- 
cern and affair, both for myself, and for you, that each 
might be taught and guided in the way of our duty, and 
in the way that might be for our best interests. I must 
confess that the greatness of the work and the difficulties 



40 IIISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 

that attend it, have lain with no small weight upon my 
spirits, and at times been matter of great discouragement 
to me, concerning undertaking it at present, especially 
considering my youth and the little time and opportunity 
I have had to pursue the study of Divinity, so that on 
that account I should not have chosen to have engaged 
in the work of the ministry so soon. But God, who 
knows what is best and fittest for us infinitely better than 
we do what is so for our ownselves, has in the way of his 
Trovidcnce as we have good reason to think, all circum- 
stances duly considered, united your hearts together to 
make choice of me to be your minister, which I cannot 
but look upon as a speaking thing in Providence ; it is 
what has greatly engaged my affections towards you, and 
seemed to make duty plain before me, and also to lay 
open a glorious and lovely prospect of my usefulness 
among you, which thing I hope and tiiist are with me 
higher and more weighty and powerful motives and 
inducements, to engage me to settle in the work of the 
ministry among you, than the prospect of any temporal 
reward or accommodations whatever. Not tliat 1 would 
be thought to speak or think lightly, or diminutively of 
the proffered proposal you have made me respecting my 
outward accommodations and maintenance among you. 
Indeed I cannot say that what you have offered me will 
be sufficient for my comfortable support and subsistence, 
nor can I say to the contrary, because I know not the 
cost of building or maintaining a family, nor what family 
I shall have if I should live, nor under what circumstan- 
ces they or I may be. But however, I take it that the 
people of this town, have all along, since I first preached 
with you, shown a generous and good disposition towards 
me, and considering the fewness of their numbers, and 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 41 

the circumstances of the times, made me an offer as good 
perhaps as was reasonable to expect, and as I desire only 
a comfortable support and maintenance from you, should 
I settle with you, so I doubt not should my necessities 
require more, and your circumstances admit of giving it, 
you would freely give it ; a sufficient maintenance being 
the thing, and that only which is desired or proposed by 
each party, I must therefore, as is my d.uty, notwithstand- 
ing all difficulties and discouragements comply with and 
be obedient to, what appears to me to be the Heavenly 
call, and I hope, I do it cheerfully and for the sake of 
God, and the interests of religion. At present therefore 
t know of nothing, upon supposition that the neighboring 
ministers advise to it, may hinder my settling among you 
and think to accept your invitation and offers, hoping 
that we may be blessings to, and blessed in and Avith 
each other, so wishing and praying that grace, mercy and 
peace may be multiplied unto you abundantly, 
I remain your assured friend, 

Justus Foewakd." 
Dated at my Lodgings, in Cold-^2yring, Jan. 29, Anno Domini, l7o6. 

No sooner was this answer given than measures were 
taken for Mr. Forward's ordination, which took place on 
the twenty-fifth day of February, 1756. He was then 
in the 26th year of his age. To this time the number 
of inabitants had increased to sixty families — three hun- 
dred souls ; there were sixty-eight communicants, thirty- 
three males thirty-five females. These were, with the ex- 
ception of a very few, members of tliis church ; some 
very few, who had came into the place while the people 
were destitute of a minister, had deferred connecting 
themselves with this church, who were professors of re- 
ligion, but did not transfer their church relation to this 
4* 



42 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

church till after Mr. Forward's ordination ; this accounts 
for the fiict that a few names stand as members of the 
church, on the church records at the time of his ordina- 
tion, whose names are found as uniting with this church 
after his settlement. 

As early as the year 1757 measures were taken to obtain 
an act of incorporation with town privileges. The settlers 
had no power to tax nonresident lands for parochial charges, 
to pay a minister or build a meeting house ; that could 
be done only by special authority from the General Court ; 
this had embarrassed them from their first settlement. 
There was a conflicting interest between resident and 
non-resident proprietors on this subject. Resident pro- 
prietors, in a petition dated December 1754, to the Gene- 
ral Court, say they are destitute of a minister and unable 
to go through with the expense of settling one, and pray 
for leave to assess a small tax on all lands. This was op- 
posed by non-resident proprietors. By way of remonstrance 
February 26th 1755, they say, *' this tract was equivalent 
land and purchased without any conditions or limitations. 
One third was sold to persons to bring forward a set- 
tlement, but they culled out the best ; their one third is 
in fact equal in value to all the rest ; yet proprietors (non- 
resident) agreed to be taxed for meeting-house and min- 
ister. A meeting-house ^vas built, and Mr. Billing settled. 
After a long cdntroversy and debate Mr. Billing was dis- 
missed. And now the inhabitants petition for a tax to 
settle another. We think this unreasonable, as we were not 
obliged originally to pay any thing, and pray that no pow- 
er be given to raise a tax." The remonstrance prevailed ; 
no tax was then granted. In 1756 another petition of simi- 
lar import was made to the General Court. In Jan. 1 757, 
the power was given by the Legislature, and a tax of one 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHUKCII IN BELCHEKTOWN. 43 

half a penny an acre was assessed ; this greatly relieved 
and encouraged the people. The greatest obstacle in the 
way of the prosperity of the place, and which was most 
embarrassing to the settlers, was their inability to tax the 
property here for the support of their religious institutions, 
making that support unequal and troublesome. So long 
as that inability existed they were not successful ; lands 
were not taken, population was stationary and the people 
were discouraged ; when the difficulty was removed, and 
power given for a general tax, the people prospered. 

At a precinct meeting, held December 29th 1760, a 
committee was appointed to present a petition to the Gen- 
eral Court for an act of incorporation as a town. In 
March 17G1, it was presented, and on the 23d day of June 
1761, an act passed incorporating the town by the name 
of Belcher stown, in honor of Jonathan Belcher, for- 
merly a large land proprietor here. He was Governor of the 
Province of Massachusetts, from 1730 to 1740. A war- 
rant was issued by the General Court for calling the first 
meeting, directed to Elcazer Porter, Esq. one of his Maj- 
esty's Justices for the County of Hampshire, to call the 
inhabitants together to organize and choose town officers, 
and a town meeting was held in pursuance of it, Sept. 
30th 1761. I have not been able to find any data from 
which we can learn the population of the town, at the 
time of its incorporation. From the ratio of increase for 
several years before and several years after, we may infer 
that there were five hundred and sixty, or about that num- 
ber. Soon after the act of incorporation, their attention 
was called to the subject of public schools. Nothing 
thus far in their history shows that any thing had ever 
been raised by tax and assessed upon the inhabitants for 
the support of schools. They have, however, left evi- 



44 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

dcnce, from their acts and doings and records, of intelli- 
gence, and capacity to do business, and that correctly and 
efficiently. The youth were instructed, in that day, so as 
to prepare them for usefulness ; they were taught in the 
family, with diligence ; parents had qualified themselves 
to instruct their children ; they were taught to read and 
write, and the use of figures, and the modes of doing 
business ; multitudes who never attended a district school 
a day in their life gained the requisite knowledge. Chil- 
dren were, under parental discipline, required to improve 
their time usefully ; stated periods were set apart to in- 
struct the children of the family by the parents, and they 
were trained to regular, sober and industrious habits. 
There was a moral and religious training, exceedingly use- 
ful for every department of life ; children were restrained 
from going where temptations assail. It was not deemed 
evidence of high promise in children of jDuritan stock, to 
disrespect parental authority, or for the young to assume 
the airs of rudeness and insolence to age and superior 
worth. Children and youth, in those days, were not wiser 
than their fathers whils they were yet children in age and 
knowledge, and before they had learned obedience to 
parental authority. The more carefully we examine the 
usages of that day in family discipline, family instruction, 
and a religious influence imparted to the minds of chil- 
dren, in forming right habits, the more we shall find to 
admire and to reverence. A single recorded instance in 
this matter illustrates a general practice, among religious 
families to a greater or less extent, and the effects. It is 
recorded, that " Joshua Dickinson Forward, only son of 
Rev. Justus Forward, was drowned at Hatfield, June 
'i28th 17C)5, aged seven years and seven months. He was 
a pious child. He had read his Bible through twice in 



CONGREGATIONAIi CHURCH IX BELCHERTOWN. 45 

course." It is doubtful whether this child had ever at- 
tended the district school or any other, out of the family, 
a day in his life ; at that day the people of this place, pre- 
cinct and town, had raised by a tax and assessment 
for public schools only twenty-six dollars and sixty-six 
cents. A common prosperity attended the people ; the ratio 
of increase in population was slow. For the first thirteen 
years after the settlement of Mr. Billing, the population 
doubled ; and again doubled in the next thirteen years, or 
nearly that. For the next succeeding seventy years, the 
population doubled once in about twenty-seven years. The 
ratio of increase was larger in the earlier part of this 
period than in the latter part of it. The averai]:e number 
of deaths annually for fifty-six years next follovving 1756, 
was about fifteen; total eight hundred and forty-five. Under 
one year of age, one hundred and seventy-five; between 
one and ten years, two hundred and seven ; between ten 
and twenty, seventy-nine ; between twenty and thirty, 
seventy-seven ; between thirty and forty, sixty-four ; be- 
tween forty and fifty, thirty ; between fifty and sixty, 
forty-seven ; between sixty and seventy, fifty-seven ; be- 
tween seventy and eighty, fifty-five ; between eighty and 
ninety, forty-three ; between ninety and one hundred, 
nine ; and two over one hundred years. During the same 
period there were nine hundred sixty-nine baptisms and 
four hundred and fifty marriages. 

In common with their countrymen, they were brought 
to feel the embarrassments and the deprivations by reason 
of British aggressions as early as 1768. Their religion 
as well as their views of civil liberty and individual rights, 
forbade their acquiescnce under them. Through the whole 
period of the revolutionary struggle, with great and en- 
ire unanimity, they maintained the cause of freed romand 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

bore their share of the burdens with heroic fortitude and 
christian faithfulness. They held it a christian duty to op- 
pose oppression in all its approaches ; no arbitrary power 
trifling with human rights, however attired by forms of 
law, could gain their respect, or approval, or support ; 
edicts of terror, whether fulminated from the throne or 
Vatican, were alike disobeyed and disregarded. They 
obeyed a higher law than despots ever forged, from higher 
authority, with higher motives, and to execute higher 
purposes. On a day that tried men's souls they declared it, 
under date September 1774, when the regular forms of 
law and justice were suspended and the evils of anarchy 
and insubordination sorely felt ; in public meeting as- 
sembled affixing their signatures to the following solemn 
compact ; " We declare that we will take no unreasona- 
ble liberties or advantage from the suspension of the 
course of law, but we engage to conduct ourselves agree- 
able to the Laws of God, of reason, of humanity, and 
we hereby engage to use all prudent and justifiable and 
necessary measures to secure and defend each other's per- 
sons and families, their lives, rights, and properties, 
against all who shall attempt to hurt, injure or invade 
them, and to secure and defend to ourselves and our pos- 
terity our just and constitutional rights and privileges." 
Such a declaration is worthy of those who framed it ; it 
bears the stamp of puritanic faithfulness and decision ; it 
breathes the spirit of Moses, of Daniel, of Paul, and of 
the faithful in all ages. 

Our fathers did not forget to entertain strangers ; they 
also possessed the spirit of imparting religious instruc- 
tion to the poor and the wanderer. Under date of Sep- 
tember 23d 1774, at a town meeting, a vote passed, " to 
pay Lieut. Joseph Smith and Lieut. Joseph Graves twenty 



CONGHEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEE.TOWN. 47 

four shillings each for going to Brookfield to carry the 
Missionary Interpreter and six Oneida Indians." Wheth- 
er a vote could be now (1851) carried in a town meeting 
in Belchertown, to pay twenty-four shillings for the ad- 
vancement of any missionary enterprise, demands a doubt. 
Amidst all their trials and embarrassments, the war of 
the revolution and its attendant deprivations, they sus- 
tained their religious institutions with constancy and 
promptitude. They were not forsaken by Him " that 
keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and 
keep his commandments to a thousand generations." 
Near the close of the year 1784, and beginning of 1785, 
the people were favored with a memorable revival of re- 
ligion ; the most signal, by far, of any the church had 
experienced during the first seventy years of its existence. 
From the testimony of persons then there, and from those 
who were subjects of the work, we are led to believe it 
was very genuine in its character, and attended with the 
gentle and powerful influences of the spirit, without spu- 
rious or fanatical movements. It has uniformly been 
so represented. It continued about one year and nine 
months, during which time, that is, between February 2d, 
1785, and November 5th, 1786, inclusive, fifty-eight per- 
sons united with the church by profession ; about as 
many as united with it for the next succeeding nineteen 
years. I have known several of those persons who were 
admitted to the church during that season. They view the 
subject in the same light ; the impression given to their 
minds and hearts by it, was evidently made by the same 
impress, and was indelible. In the course of my inquiry for 
materials for this narrative, of aged ones once here, and 
conversant with the history of the place many years ago, 
I had an interview with a venerable aged man, once living 



48 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

here, and who united with this chiirch during this revival in 
1785, now^ nearly ninety years of age, and residing in an- 
other place, where he has resided more than sixty years. 
During the conversation, casting his thoughts back to the 
days of other years, now gone, and when a resident here, 
he adverted to this revival with a feeling of interest and 
fervor of expression, wdiich description can but feebly give. 
The events and scenes of that revival seemed to awaken 
every power of his soul ; those things, said he, " I well 
remember; during that year, from February 178-3 to Feb- 
ruary 1786, forty-four united with that church. There I 
stood, with many by me, in solemn assembly, embracing 
my co^ enant vows. Of that forty-four, said he, tvvo be- 
came preachers of the gospel, and six became deacons of 
churches, and all are now dead, as I suppose, but three 
of us." The interview was an instructing one. There was 
the venerable saint, strengthened and animated by the spirit 
that breathed upon him sixty-five years before, now 
seeming to hover over him, and renew the promise, " he 
that hath begun a good work in you, will perform it un- 
til the day of Jcsiis Christ." The R .'v, Amasa Smith and 
the Rev. John Smith, D. D., were the two then uniting 
with tlie church, that became ministers of tlie gospel. 
These men will be noticed in the chronological columns, 
in numbers, representing names, (229) and (248). Also, 
the Rev. Eli Smiih experienced religion during the same 
period, though he did not unite with the church till 1788. 
(No. 279). These three ministers were brothers — sons of 
dcacen Joseph Smith (No. 9). Also, the Rev. Ethan 
Smith, son of Dea. Elijah Smith, (No. 11), was I suppose, 
amrjng the number that experienced religion during that 
revival here, though he did not unite with tliis church, 
He immediately commenced a course of classical study 



COXGREGATIONAL CHUECH liN" BELCHEKTOWX. 49 

with a view to tlie gospel ministry, entered Dartmouth 
College, and graduated in 1790 ; studied theology, and 
was first settled in the ministry in Haverhill, New Hamp- 
shire. Pie was there ordained, January 2oth, 1792, re- 
mained in the ministry there till June 23d, 1799, when he 
was dismissed, and received a call from the church and 
society in Hopkinton, same state, to settle there, and was 
installed in that place March 12th, 1800 ; remained in 
the ministry there till December 16th, 1817, when he was 
dismissed ; was again installed over a church in Hebron, 
state of New York, February 26th, 1818 ; dismissed Au- 
gust 29th, 1821 ; again installed in Poultney, Vermont, 
November 21st, 1821; and dismissed December 29th, 1826 ; 
again installed in Hanover, Massachusetts, May 16th, 
1827 ; dismissed about 1832. After this period he acted 
as city missionary in Boston, and as an agent for various 
Bible societies, continuing his active labors in the ministry 
till his death. He died at the residence of his son-in-law. 
Rev. William H. Sanford, of Boylston, Massachusetts, 
August 29th, 1849, in the 87th year of his age. Mr. 
Smith was an exceeding active and laborious minister, al- 
ways striving to advance the spiritual interests of his fellow 
men. Several of the dismissions that occurred in his min- 
istry, arose solely from the inability of his peoj)le to give 
him an adequate support. 

In doctrine and in life he was a genuine representative 
of the puritanic stock, in the stern and reliable elements 
of his character. The Bible was his text book. He 
studied it. He preached it, and experienced the con- 
solations of its promises. He published several works. 
One " On the Prophecies," one " A key to ths Revela- 
tions." His publications show diligent investigation 
and biblical knowledge. His religious affections were 
5 



50 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ardent and constant, his hope of a blessed immortality 
firm and unshaken. 

The house occupied now as a place of public worship 
was erected in 1789, and dedicated to the solemn worship 
of God, September 12th, 1792. It was built by individual 
enterprise. The old house had became useless ; it stood 
about seventy-five rods south of the present house ; a new 
one was needed. The question of location arose ; some per- 
sons in the extreme parts of the town, proposed a division 
of the town into two, north and south, by an east and west 
line through what is now the center ; this measure had its 
advocates. The necessity of a place for public worship, and 
a desire to reconcile all discordant feelings on this point, 
induced sundry of the inhabitants to make personal and 
pecuniary sacrifices to accomplish these desired ends. 
Col. Elijah D wight, was a very prominent actor in erect- 
ing this house. He was a deacon in the church ; see (215). 
He made a liberal donation to the town, and suffered pe- 
cuniary losses in the work. He was a benefactor to the 
town. In about four years after they began to worship 
in the new house, the subject was brought before the peo- 
ple of settling a colleague with Rev. Mr. Forward. He 
had then been the settled minister here about 40 years. 
I should infer from the proceedings, that it was his desire 
to have a colleague. At a church meeting held for the 
purpose of considering this subject, September 29th, 1796, 
a vote was taken by the church, " that it is expedient to 
settle a colleague with Rev. Mr. Forward." This vote was 
brought before the society ; and after some discussion met 
with an indefinite postponement ; and no colleague was 
settled with him till March, 1812, about two years before 
Mr. Forward's death. He continued in the faithful and 
prompt discharge of the duties of the pastoral ofiice be- 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 51 

yond the age of four score years. He died March 8th, 
1814, in the 59th year of his ministry, and in the 84th 
year of his age. He was married December 8th, 1756, 
to Violet, daughter and only child of Mr. Joshua Dickin- 
son, of Hatfield ; they had eleven children. Two only sur- 
vived him, one son and one daughter. He lived to fol- 
low to the grave more than nine hundred of his people, 
and more than three times the number of his whole con- 
gregation at the time of his settlement. It would seem 
but a tribute justly due to him, who was the adviser, the 
spiritual guide and teacher of this church, for half of the 
one hundred and fourteen years since they have had a 
church existence, to turn a passing thought to his memo- 
ry and his character. A very short sketch is all that such 
a summary as this would justify. I am aware of the dif- 
ficulty of doing this as it should be. It is easy to give a 
common-pl^ce eulogy to a character, and no more than is 
justly du^, and yet it may be far from a, life-picture of the 
original. Such is the almost infinite variety of character 
— the nice and subtle shades of distinction by which it is 
marked, that to give it the stamp of truth, requires the 
touch of a master's hand. All men have something in 
common, yet each has his distinctive identity, that must 
be drawn ; for that alone makes the difi*erence between 
him of whom it is predicable and every other person ; 
this is as true in the personal, intellectual and moral traits 
forming character, as it is in features and in countenance, 
by which men are distinguished. Mr. Forward's character 
was strongly marked by the stern, faithful, unassuming, 
considerate traits, showing his puritanic lineage. He 
was born in Suffield, Connecticut, May 11th, 1730, old 
style. His ancestors were from Devonshire, England. 
Samuel Forward, his great grandfather, left England dur- 



52 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ing the corrupt, profligate and licentious reign of Cliarles 
2d, came to New England among the pilgrim fathers, 
about the year 1666, settled at Windsor, Connecticut, be- 
fore that town was incorporated, died there in 1684, as 
appears by the records of that town ; (his name is there 
written Toward). He left two sons, Samuel and Joseph. 
Samuel, the grandfather of Mr. Forward, was born in 
"Windsor, in 1671 ; married and settled in Simsbury, had 
four sons and two daughters. Joseph, the father of Mr. 
Forward, was born at Simsbury, November, 1707, married 
Mary Lawton, of Suffield, and removed there where he re- 
sided several years, and removed to a parish in Simsbury, 
(now Granby, Connecticut), where he carried on his busi- 
ness, a tanner, saddler, and a large farming concern. Jus- 
tus was the eldest child ; under the faithful and pious 
training of his parents, he hopefully experienced religion 
at about fourteen years of age. It will be seen by a com- 
parison of dates, that Mr. Forward experienced religion 
during the great revival in New England in the days of 
President Edwards, a very important period in the his- 
tory of the New England churches, and will continue to 
be so regarded as long as New England churches exist. 
In 1740, powerful revivals existed in one hundred and fif- 
ty congregations in New England. In 1735, there were 
two hundred hopeful converts in six months in Northamp- 
ton, and ten of them about ninety years of age. Soon 
after Mr. Forward experienced religion, he became desir- 
ous of entering on a course of study, preparatory to the 
gospel ministry. His father's consent was obtained, 
he began a course of classical study, and was fitted 
to enter college at Commencement, September, 1748. 
At that time a sore sickness visited his father's family, of 
which four out of seven children died, in the course of 



CONGEEGATIOlSrAI, CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 53 

about three weeks. This deep family affliction, seemed 
for a time to hedge up the way for pursuing his studies* 
The afflicted parents felt that Justus must not leave the 
paternal roof, even for the high and laudable purpose of 
preparation for the gospel ministry. Yielding to these 
wishes of his parents, he suspended his studies for two 
years, and remained at home in the active duties of his 
father's business. Not relinquishing his chosen purpose, 
he again sought and obtained his father's consent to the re- 
newal of his studies, and entered Yale College September 
1750, and passed the four years in college with reputation 
to himself and the esteem and confidence of the college 
faculty. He was a correct classical scholar, and so dis- 
tinguished himself in the languages, that at the close of 
senior year, the faculty conferred on him the " Dean's 
Bounty," (sometimes called the Berklian prize), as their 
testimony of his scholarship. He did not remain at New 
Haven after his graduation to receive the pecuniary benefit 
which the prize ofi'ered. He left there, went to Hatfield, 
and engaged in teaching a school, and at the same time 
pursued a course of theological study with the Rev. 
Timothy Woodbridge, then the minister of Hatfield. He 
was licensed to preach in the fall of 1755, and soon after 
license, by invitation, came to supply the people here. He 
never preached elsewhere as a candidate ; his whole min- 
isterial life was here. The powers and the faculties of 
his long and useful life, were consecrated to the best good 
of this people, and he was diligent in well doing. He pos- 
sessed a well balanced mind ; if it did not take so wide a 
range, or so high a flight as that of some other men, it 
moved in sure, safe and well directed courses. He pos- 
sessed much of what is sometimes called forecast of 
thought in drawing just conclusions from a given course 
5* 



54 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

of measures. He was preeminently a matter-of-fact man; 
no one could hear him converse but must feel that he vras 
instructed by his conversation ; even in old age, he possess- 
ed the rare fjxculty of interesting the young, by his con- 
versation. He was useful to his people in many ways. 
In his early ministry, the people few, there was no practis- 
ing physician in the place and none near ; he became very 
useful to his people in sickness ; by reading and practising 
he obtained considerable knowledge of medicine, and turn- 
ed his knowledge to the best jDractical account. This gave 
him a two-fold advantage for doing good ; while adminis- 
tering to their physical wants, he gained a knowledge of 
their spiritual wants, and was always ready to meet them. 
He was decided in his views of duty in the days of the 
Revolution. He was opposed to British aggressions on 
American rights. He wrote for the periodical press in 
those times and his labors were well received. 

As a sermonizer, clearness, simplicity, and solemnity 
characterized his performances ; no attempts at display or 
embellishment ; with single-heartedness convincing all 
that heard him that he was " honest in the sacred cause.'* 
He studied the works of God, and read useful instruction 
from the passing events around him. If he was not so 
learned, as some men count learning, as others that 
might be found, he was truly a wise man. In his theo- 
logy, he was strictly evangelical. I use this term as it is 
used by the orthodox in New England, rather than as it 
is now used in the German schools. The doctrines of the 
reformation preached by Calvin, John Knox, Owen, John 
Howe, and Baxter, and transplanted by the pilgrim fathers 
to New England and here taught by the Mayhews, the 
Mathers, and Edwards of New England, were his doc- 
trines and the doctrines of this church, ever after his set- 



CONGHEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 55 

tlemeiit. In his public discourses, he dwelt much on the 
practical influences of these doctrines on the heart and 
life. He did not fail to preach the doctrines, but did not 
make them the exclusive theme of his discourses to so 
great an extent as some did. 

In all his intercourse with his people, pastoral visits, 
schools, the sick room, and elsewhere, he was kind, 
affectionate, faithful, striving to advance the highest 
interest of all. Such was the life of this aged, venerable 
servant of Christ ; such a life tends to a peaceful and hap- 
py death ; such was his. I well remember a short inter- 
view I had with him a day or two before his death. His 
last sickness was short. I called to see him ; he was sit- 
ting in his chair, very feeble, but could converse, and did 
so freely. He said he did not expect to live but a very 
short time. Death said he, is very near ; soon I must stand 
before God in judgment. I have not those transporting 
views that some express in the near prospect of death, 
and when I think of my short-comings in what God has 
required of me, it seems as if I ought not to hope in his 
mercy, and I may be self-deceived ; but Christ is my hope, 
and I think I know in whom I have trusted, and that he 
will keep that I have entrusted to him to the day of my 
redemption. He died as he lived, humble, patient, sub- 
missive, relying upon the promises, and resting his all 
upon the rock of ages. The memory of such men is 
peaceful and their immortality blessed. Mrs. Forward 
survived her husband twenty years ; she died March 27th, 
1834, at the advanced age of ninety-five years four months 
and twelve days. She was active and useful in the sta- 
tions she occupied, cheerful, with a great flow of the 
kindest feelings, benevolent, hospitable, and her whole 
character adorned by the graces of the spirit. She outlived 



56 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

her faculties, mental and physical. Her mind became so 
impaired that she did not know her own family, for some 
two years before her death. 

About two years before the death of Mr. Forward, 
the Rev. Experience Porter was installed as colleague 
pastor with him. He was installed the 11th of March, 
1812. Mr. Porter was a native of Lebanon, New Hamp- 
shire, son of deacon Nathaniel Porter, of that place. He 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1803. Upon leav- 
ing college, he was appointed a tutor in the college at 
Middlebury, Vermont, that college being then in its in- 
fancy. He officiated as tutor one year, during which 
time his attention was given to theological studies, so far 
as was consistent with his college duties. At the close of 
the year, he entered the Divinity school of the Rev. Asa- 
hel Hooker, in Goshen, Connecticut, where he finished 
his theological course and was licensed to preach. While a 
licentiate he supplied in various places. In September 
1807, he received a call to settle in Winchester, New 
Hampshire. To this call he gave a favorable answer, and 
was ordained over the church and people at Winchester, 
November 12th, 1807. He remained in the faithful dis- 
charge of his pastoral duties at Winchester, until the 20th 
of February, 1810, when he was dismissed, at his own re- 
quest, by a mutual council convened for that purpose. 
After his dismission he preached in various places till 
January, 1812, when by invitation he came for a supply 
to this place ; and after preaching several Sabbaths, receiv- 
ed a unanimous call from the church and society to settle 
with them in the gospel ministry, as colleague pastor, with 
Rev. Mr. Forward. During Mr. Porter's connection with 
this people there were two revivals of religion. The first 
commenced in 1812, and continued about one year, and 



CONGKEGATIONAL CIIURCII IN BELCHEETOWN, 57 

was general in all parts of the town. During the year 1813, 
there were one hundred and seven persons united with 
the church upon a public profession of their faith. The 
next commenced in the fall of 1818, and continued 
about the same length of time. Before the close of 1819, 
there were two hundred and eight persons added to 
the church by a profession of religion, as the fruit of this 
revival. It was a season of great anxiety and most intense 
feeling upon the public mind ; religious meetings were very 
frequent, and attended in crowds ; the labors of the pas- 
tor, were exceedingly arduous ; ministerial assistance was 
sought from abroad ; many inquiring the way to Zion, and 
her gates seemed to be pressed by those who were entering 
the Kingdom ; many will doubtless remember those days 
with joy so long as memory endures, and even in eternity 
will look back to that season as the day of their espousal to 
the Lord Jesus Christ. The church was greatly increased, 
strengthened and refreshed ; the friends of Zion will ever 
rejoice in the blessed fruits of that religious revival. Mr. 
Porter, in his farewell sermon, preached March 6th, 1825, 
says, " among the hundreds to whom I have opened the 
door of this church, some have as we trust, already sat 
down to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and very many 
more as we may reasonably hope are prepared to join that 
blessed society ; but of some I might say with the apostle, 
" I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labor 
in vain." Faithful narrative requires me to say, in the 
subsequent history of some, lamentable evidence has been 
given of great delinquency in christian character ; some 
who seemed for a time to run well fell away ; their religion 
seemed to be, " as the morning cloud and the early dew 
that goeth away." There is great reason to fear that the 
caution and circumspection of the church and the pastor 



58 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OE THE 

did not furnish sufficient safe-guards against accessions of 
some unworthy members to the church. It is hoped that 
at the great and final trial, if any such must be found, the 
number will be few ; whatever the number may be, the 
revelations of that day will disclose. The pastoral relation 
between Mr. Porter and this people continued till March 
9th, 1825, when he was dismissed by a council mutually 
chosen by him and his people for the purpose. His health 
had become impaired, for several months before his dis- 
mission, so much so that he had been able to preach only 
a portion of the time. After his dismission he preached 
but little ; he lingered under the disease which gradually 
wasted his strength, and which proved to lie beyond the 
reach of all means resorted to for arresting its progress, 
and terminated fatally. He died at Lebanon, New Hamp- 
shire, on the 25th day of August, 1828, aged forty-six. 
Mr. Porter possessed strong powers of mind, and was gift- 
ed with very ready faculties ; he wrote with great rapidi- ^ 
ty ; his style of writing was more characterized by bold- 
ness and strength than by a highly cultivated taste, or 
classical accuracy. He spoke with ease ; in his presentation 
of truth to his congregation, his appeals were cogent and 
effectual. In his public discourses, the general features of 
his subject were apprehended with great facility. If there 
was any failure in doing ample justice to it in the discus- 
sion, it arose from want of discrimination in the analyzing 
and presentation, in its varried parts and aspects. His the- 
ology was strictly Calvinistic, and in his pulpit exercises, 
he dwelt much on the leading doctrines ; this created, to a 
considerable extent, uniformity in his discourses. His 
voice was full and deep toned, his manner in the desk self- 
possessed, easy and deliberate, making a deep impression 
on the hearer. The church was greatly increased during 



COXGaEGATIOXAL CHURCH IX BELCHERTO WN. 59 

his ministry. " When I wtis installed," says Mr. Porter 
in his sermon, " the church consisted of one hundred and 
ninety members ; since that time four hundred and twenty 
five have been received ; of whom three hundred and 
forty-five were received by profession, and eighty by let- 
ters from other churches." It may be added that during 
the thirteen years of his ministry here, about as many per- 
sons united with this church by profession as had united 
with it in the same way during ^he whole eighty years of 
its existence previous to that period. He labored to im- 
press upon the hearts of others the great truths of the 
gospel, which his own heart bore witness were impressed 
upon his. During the long and wasting disease that was 
preying upon him, he had seasons of darkness and des- 
pondency ; at times doubts and fears assailed him : these 
were but temporary, and as he gradually drew near the 
close they were removed ; his prospect brightened and his 
hopes were steadfast. He died in faith, sustained in an 
unshaken trust of a blessed immortality. In October 1806, 
he married Miss Sarah Smith, a daughter of Dr. Phineas 
Smith, formerly of Sharon, Connecticut. Dr. Smith was 
a near relative of the Hon. John Cotton Smith, for several 
years Governor of Connecticut. At about sixteen years 
of age, Mrs. Porter lost her parents ; from that period, she 
resided in the family of an uncle, her father's brother, 
Dan Smith, Esq., of West Haven, Vermont, for about six 
years before her marriage, in the reciprocal interchanges 
of those acts of kindness and mutual attachments that 
belong to the endearing relation of parents and child. 
The traits of her character were such as secured the respect 
and esteem of all those acquainted with her. She had 
a mind well furnished with fruits of various and well se- 
lected reading. During the whole period of Mr. Porter's 



60 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ministry here, her health was feeble ; this necessarily for- 
bade, to a great extent, those active labors and exercises 
for the benefit of those around her, which were the 
promptings of her heart ; what health and strength she 
had were consecrated to the best of purposes. In the ser- 
mon, at her funeral, by the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, he 
says, " in her intellectual character she possessed a vigor 
and a decision which would have fitted her for no ordina- 
ry attainments in science ; her judgment was clear, her 
reasoning faculty active and acute, and her imagination 
tempered and subdued by sound discretion. Her remarks 
on every subject, of which she professed to have any 
knowledge, indicated the habit of thought, and of becom- 
ing independence in forming her opinions. She early 
made a public profession of religion ; she was strict and 
conscientious in the duties of religion. She took a deep 
interest in the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom." 
The christian graces wore seen in her whole character, 
and in constant exercise ; they sustained her in the last 
great trying conflict. She died April 18th, 1825, aged 
forty-four. 

In the spring of 1818, a Sabbath school was first 
introduced as a Sabbath exercise in this church and 
society, and has been continued ever since. Those who 
then comprised the classes were children and youth. The 
exercises, the committing to memory texts of scripture, 
and verses from the hymn books, and rehearsing them. 
The minister appointed the superintendent and the con- 
ductors of the school. The same year Sabbath schools 
were opened in many of the churches and religious socie- 
ties in this community, for the first time. The utility of 
these schools has been fully tested, and the improvements 
by experience realized ; in no one thing perhaps more than 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 61 

in bringing those of all ages and conditions in life, into 
them for Bible instruction. 

After the dismission of Rev. Mr. Porter, the people 
remained without a settled ministry about seven months. 
The Rev. Lyman Coleman had supplied the desk several 
Sabbaths, by invitation, during the year 1824, while ill 
health suspended the labors of Mr. Porter ; soon after 
Mr. Porter's dismission, (May following), Mr. Coleman 
was again invited to supply the desk. He preached a 
succession of Sabbaths and remained several weeks among 
us. On the 8th of August, a vote passed in the church 
expressing a desire to extend a call to him, which was 
responded to by the society, and a unanimous call was 
given him ; in due time he signified his acceptence. A 
Council was called, and the following clergymen partici- 
pated in his ordination : 

Rev. Artemas Boies, of South Hadley, made the in- 
troductory prayer. Rev. Dr. Joel Hawes, of Hartford, 
preached the sermon, from 2d Thess. 2, 8th ; Rev. Nathan 
Perkins, of Amherst, made the consecrating prayer ; Rev. 
Dr. Ely, of Monson, gave the charge ; and Rev. William 
C. Fowler, then of Greenfield, and since a Professor in the 
College at Middlebury and at Amherst, gave the right 
hand of fellowship ; and the Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright, of 
Ludlow, offered the concluding prayer. Mr. Coleman 
remained here in the ministry nearly seven years. He 
was settled October 19th, 1825. A kind providence smiled 
on his labors ; the society increased and the church enlarg- 
ed ; some of the advances, showing a prosperous state of 
things among us, may be seen by a few extracts from Mr. 
Coleman's farewell sermon, preached on the 9th Septem- 
ber 1832, the Sabbath next after his dismission, from 2d 
Cor. 13th and Uth, " Finally brethren, farewell." After the 



62 HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 

introduction in this discourse, Mr. Coleman speaks of his 
own discouragements, and says " God grant that my lack of 
service may be supplied by the communications of his 
grace to you." " Some portion of good, I must believe, has 
been done, and in this I rejoice, and will rejoice to my la- 
test breath." In the progress of the sermon, he recapitu- 
lates as follows : " on my coming among you, the Sabbath 
school was composed of a limited number of children and 
youth, with scarce a single individual of adult age. The 
system of organization has since been entirely changed. 
A more thorough and efficient system of instruction has 
been introduced, and the school has been increased by a 
large portion of the congregation, who by their age and 
influence give character to the institution." " Soon after 
my settlement, a Sabbath school library was commenced, 
which now contains more than seven hundred bound 
volumes." " In this connection, the alteration and enlarge- 
ment of this house of public worship ought to be mention- 
ed." The alteration and enlargement here alluded to was 
made in 1828 ; the house was enlarged and the inside en- 
tirely constructed anew, at an expense of over three thous- 
and dollars. He continues and says, " of scarcely less impor- 
tance was the fitting up of a neat and commodious place 
for social worship." In 1830, this place (vestry) was pro- 
vided for social religious meetings, principally by individ- 
ual enterprise. He further says, " a spirit of christian 
benevolence has also been considerably excited, and the 
public charities of the people increased since the commence- 
ment of my ministry." He then refers to the temperance 
reformation; the first efficient efforts on this subject 
here were in 1827. He says, " the results have been most 
important to the interests of this community ; our numbers 
have gradually increased from eleven up to more than seven 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 63 

hundred, comprising a large portion of the influence and 
character of the place." "At the lowest calculation, the 
temperance reformation must be an annual saving to the 
town of several thousand dollars, and yet this is really the 
least of all considerations connected with this reformation ; 
it is the salvation of life, of happiness, of the soul itself." 
After alluding to various other things showing similar re- 
sults, he says, " whilst I have sustained the pastoral office 
in this church, one hundred seventy-eight have been ad- 
ded to its body, forty-five by recommendation from other 
churches, and one hundred thirty-three by a public profes- 
sion of their faith in Christ ; the church at the time of my 
settlement, consisted of three hundred sixty-four members ; 
it now consists of four hundred fifty-seven, showing an in- 
crease of almost one hundred." There was an unusual re- 
ligious interest among this people in 1831. It is not the 
object of this narrative to detail the causes that led to Mr. 
Coleman's dismission ; they are now matters of history, 
and will be recollected by many still among us ; if from 
them are drawn useful lessons of instruction for the fu- 
ture, they may thus far be beneficial. In alluding to them, 
in drawing his discourse to a close, Mr. Coleman says, 
*' we are all hastening to the judgment seat of Christy 
where our motives will be fully known, and where these 
our relations will be severely scrutinized. That meeting 
at the judgment seat of Christ! Oh! it is enough to hush 
every unhallowed feeling of the heart. There we shall 
meet no more to judge one another, but to be judged of Him 
on whose dread decision our character and our destiny de- 
pend. There all my official conduct towards you will be 
justly estimated, and there too all your treatment of me, 
and of my gospel will be laid open." Mr. Coleman asked 
and took a dismission against the wishes of a large majori- 



64 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

ty of the people. This fact Avas fully tested by votes in 
parish meeting and in various other ways ; probably three 
fourths of the parish were desirous that he should not 
leave them ; yet a minority, and that not numerous, but 
active and unyielding, sought a separation ; at a society 
meeting held September 4th, 1832, for the purpose of con- 
sidering the subject of Mr. Coleman's request for a dis- 
mission, the following votes passed : 

Voted, "That this society accord with the request 
made by Rev. Lyman Coleman, that the pastoral relation 
between him and this people be dissolved." 

Voted, " That while this society expresses by vote 
their accordance with the wishes of Mr. Coleman, ex- 
pressed in his request, they would say that it is with the 
deepest feelings of regret that such an event must take 
place ; nearly seven years has elapsed since his settle- 
ment here as the minister of this people. The ability, 
the assiduity, the faithfulness, and untiring devotion 
with which the duties of the sacred office have been 
discharged by him during his labors among us, have 
associated him in our feelings with our fairest prospects 
and brightest hopes. We had cherished the pleasing 
expectation that a beneficent Providence would continue 
him as the minister of this people for a great while yet to 
come ; though we are cut short in this, we would express 
our grateful acknowledgment to the great Head of the 
church, for continuing him so long the minister of this 
people." The church passed a vote expressive of the 
same feelings Avith the society. There was no opposition 
expressed in the church or society in the passing of these 
votes. He was dismissed on the 4th of September, 1832. 
immediately upon his dismission he received an invita- 
tion to take charge as Principal of the " Burr Seminary," 



CONGEEGATIOXAL CHURCH IN BELCHEHTOWN. 65 

a literary institution, established at Manchester, VernTOnt. 
He remained at the head of that institution till 1837, 
when he was invited to take charge of the " Teachers' 
Seminary," at Andover, Massachusetts ; he entered on 
the duties there, and remained at that Seminary till 
September, 1842. Resigning his office there, he made 
arrangements for a voyage to Europe ; sailed from New 
York, November 29th, same year, in a vessel bound to 
Hamburgh ; passed the winter in the city of Berlin. A 
leading object with Mr. Coleman, in visiting Europe, 
was to obtain materials for a revised edition of his work, 
*' Christian Antiquities," and in preparation for another 
work, " The Primitive Church," or " Church without a 
Bishop." At Berlin, he had great facilities, in aiding 
him in the object of his inquiries. He was in habitual 
conference w^ith Dr. Neander, the great historian ; spent 
the winter and spring, in close apj)lication at Berlin, in 
gathering materials to perfect his object in his contem- 
plated works above mentioned. He visited various parts 
of Germany, France, Belgium, England, Scotland and 
Wales. On his return home the next year he was 
engaged in instruction at Amherst, Massachusetts, and 
at Auburn, New York. These two works above named, 
have been published, and very favorably received by the 
public, as valuable standard works. They have recently 
been reprinted in London. He has published another 
work " Historical Geography ;" five editions of this work 
have gone from the press. Mr. Coleman has published 
some other works of a more limited extent, " Historical 
Sketch, and the Christian Sabbath," and others, giving 
evidence of laborious study and extensive research. Mr. 
Coleman was a native of Middlefield, Hampshire County, 
Massachusetts, born June, 1796, son of Dr. "William 
6-f 



66 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Coleman, then a practising physician of that place, and 
now residing in Pittsfield, Massachusetts ; and grand-son 
of Dr. Seth Coleman, formerly of Amherst, Massachusetts, 
who died there, September 9th, 1816, aged 76, — a man 
well known in his day as a skilful physician, and of dis- 
tinguished piety. Mr. Coleman was a graduate of Yale 
College in 1817 ; held the office of tutor in that College 
five years ; studied theology at the Divinity School at 
Yale; settled in the ministry here, October 19, 1825. 
In September, 1826, he married Miss Maria Flynt, 
daughter of Rufus Flynt, Esq., of Monson, Massachu- 
setts. He received the Honorary Degree of D. D., from 
Nassau Hall College, in 1848 ; is now engaged in clas- 
sical instruction in the city of Philadelphia. 

After Mr. Coleman's dismission, the people remained 
without a settled minister, about one year. In June, 
1833, an invitation was given to Rev. Jared Reid, to 
supply the desk. Mr. Reid had been settled at Reading, 
Massachusetts, and dismissed. He came among us and 
supplied the desk for several Sabbaths. On the 22d of 
July, at a meeting of the church, a vote was taken to give 
him a call to settle, if the society acceded to the vote. 
This they did, and a unanimous call was given him to 
settle with us in the gospel ministry. In due time he 
returned an affirmative answer, and he was installed to 
the pastoral office September 4, 1833. Mr. Reid is son 
of Mr. Samuel Reid, a native of Fall River, Massachu- 
setts. He moved to Preston, Connecticut, where Rev. 
Mr. Reid was born, February 1788; graduated at Yale 
College 1817, (a class-mate with Rev. Mr. Coleman); 
studied Theology at Andovcr; was licensed to preach 
April 1822 ; settled in the ministry at Reading, Novem- 
ber 20, 1823; dismissed 1833. November 27, 1823, he 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 67 

married Miss Sarah Bigelow, from Colchester, Connect- 
icut. Mrs. Reid was exceedingly active and devoted in 
her labors in advancing the religious interests of the com- 
munity where she was. She was sympathetic in affliction, 
faithful in her admonitions to the careless and indifferent, 
and constant in her appeals to all to attend to the one 
thing needful. No suitable opportunity was left unim- 
proved by her, of communicating spiritual benefits to 
those within the reach of her influence. In her last sick- 
ness, she gave abundant evidence that her hope of a 
blessed immortality was as an anchor to her soul, sure 
and steadfast. She died at Tiverton, Rhode Island, 
where Mr. Reid was stationed, on the 11th of February, 
1845, aged fifty- eight. 

During the ministry of Mr. Reid here the church was 
divided, another church oaganized, and a society formed 
in connection with it, known as the Brainerd Church 
and Society. The causes of this division did not arise 
from dissatisfaction with Mr. Reid, but from causes 
entirely distinct from his ministry. It is no part of the 
object of this narrative to detail them. They are well 
known to many now in this community. They were not 
occasioned by a difference in faith, or doctrine. The two 
churches were in christian fellowship, each sustaining 
stated, constant worship. Mr. Reid continued his labors 
in the first church, v^^hich were attended with prosperity 
to the church and people, till January, 1841, when he 
requested a dismission from his church and people. A 
mutual council was called for the purpose, and he was 
dismissed January 6, 1841. 

The Brainerd Church w^as organized on the 30th Sep- 
tember, 1834. Sixty-eight members of the first church 
had obtained certificates of their church standing, with a 



68 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

view of calling an cccle.-iiastical council, to consider the 
subject of forming another church. This was done with 
the consent of the first church. The council convened by 
letters missive, and the subject was presented. The fol- 
lowing Churches, Pastors and Delegates, composed that 
Council. From the first church in Northampton, Rev. 
Joseph Penny, D. D., and Br. Asahel Lyman, Delegate ; 
from the Edwards Church, Northampton, Rev. John Todd, 
and Br. Thomas Napier, delegate ; from the first church 
in Hadley, Rev. John Brown, D. D., Pastor, and Dea. 
Jacob Smith, delegate ; from the first Church in South 
Hadley, Pi-cv. Artemas Boies, pastor, and Rev. B. R. 
Woodbridgc, delegate ; from the East Church in Amherst, 
Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor, and Gen. Ebenezer Mat- 
toon, delegate ; from the church in Enfield, Rev. Joshua 
Crosby and Pvcv. Sumner G. Clapp, j^astors, and Br. 
Eliphaz Jones, delegate ; from the church in Monson, 
Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., pastor, and Dea. S. Shaw, dele- 
gate ; from the church in Brimfield, Rev. Joseph Vaill ; 
from the First Church in Belchertown, Rev. Jared Reid, 
pastor, and Dea. Phelps, delegate. Upon a full hearing 
of the subject, the council came to a unanimous result in 
favor of a new church organization, and constituted the 
certificated members into a church, and extended to it 
the fellowship of the churches, under the name of the 
*' Brainerd Church." Between twenty and thirty more 
from the First Church united with it within a few weeks. 
The ordinances of the gospel were continually sustained 
in it from the first, though there was no settled ministry 
till 1838. In June of that year an invitation was given 
to Rev. George A. Oviatt to supply the desk. He came 
among us and labored a few weeks. On the 16ih of 
July, 1838, the church records show the following acts 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 69 

and doings. " The church held a meeting, duly notified, 
on the subject of giving a call to the Rev. George A. 
Oviatt to settle with us in the gospel ministry." And 
the records also say, " Whereas, he has labored among us 
for a time, to our acceptance and edification, and from his 
known character and standing- entitled to our entire con- 
fidence as an able and faithful minister of the gospel; if 
the Brainerd Society,, to which this church appertains, 
think proper to extend to him an invitation to settle with 
us, we do hereby express our unanimous and cordial con- 
currence in such invitation." This vote was communi- 
cated to the society, and they voted unanimously to give 
the call, which was communicated to Mr. Oviatt. He 
returned in due time an affirmative reply. A council was 
invited for the ordination, and convened on the 28th of 
August, 1838. The council was composed of the follow- 
ing pastors and delegates from the churches. Second 
Church in Amherst, Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor ; First 
Church in Amherst, Rev. Josiah Bent, pastor, and Gen. 
David Mack, delegate ; church in Enfield, Rev. John 
Whiton, Pastor, and Br. Tertius Walker, delegate ; from 
the church in South Hadley, Rev. Joseph D. Condit, 
pastor, and Dea. Moses Montague, delegate ; from the 
church in Granby, Dea. Asa Pease, delegate ; from the 
church in Monson, Dea. A. W. Porter, delegate; from 
the church in Boylston, Rev. William H. Sanford, 
pastor, and Br. Henry H. Brigham, delegate ; from Park 
Street Church in Boston, Rev. Silas Aikin, pastor, and 
Br. William T. Eustis, delegate ; from the church in 
Belchertown, Rev. Jarcd Reid, pastor, and Dea. Israel 
Towne, delegate ; and Rev. Roswell Hawkes, without 
pastoral charge. The council organized as follows : 
Rev. Nathan Perkins, moderator ; Rev. William H. 



70 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Sanford, scribe ; Rev. Mr. Whiton made the introductory 
prayer ; Rev. Mr. Aikin preached the sermon ; Rev, Mr. 
Reid made the ordaining prayer ; Rev. Mr. Perkins gave 
the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Mr. Condit gave the right 
hand of fellowship ; Rev. Mr. Bent gave the charge to 
the people, and Rev. Mr. Sanford made the concluding 
prayer. 

Mr. Oviatt continued his labors as pastor of the Brain- 
erd Church and Society till the churches and societies 
were again united, 1841. His labors were blessed, and 
the church and society prosperous. The church to Jan- 
uary 1841, had increased to about one hundred and 
eighty members. The society built a house in 1836, for 
their accommodation at an expense of five thousand dol- 
lars. After the dismission of Mr. Reid, January 6, 1841, 
(leaving the First Church destitute of a pastor), a desire 
was manifested by many in each society for a reunion of 
the churches and societies, "with the cherished hope that 
Mr. Oviatt might become the pastor of the united church. 
In public worship the two societies united immediately 
upon Mr. Reid's leaving, and Mr. Oviatt discharged the 
pastoral duties to both. Such had been his labors and 
intercourse among the people, ever since his ministerial 
labors commenced here, that all feelings seemed to con- 
centrate in the desire of effecting a union, and of extend- 
ing a call to him to settle over the united church and 
society. Measures were taken to accomplish that object. 
Meetings of each church and each society were called, 
and votes passed expressing a desire of reunion, and of 
extending a call to Mr. Oviatt to take the pastoral charge 
of them. The causes which seven years before had led 
to a division of the church, seem to have melted away, 
and a state of united feeling, favorable to the prosperity 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 71 

of the churcli by a union succeeded. An ecclesiastical 
council was invited, to consider the subject of a union of 
the churches, and of installing Mr. Oviatt over the united 
church and society. That council convened August 31, 
1841. From Second Church in Amherst, Rev. Nr^than 
Perkins, and Br. Ithamer Conkey, delegate ; church in 
Enfield, Rev. John Whiton, and Dea. Alvan Smith, del- 
egate ; church in Granby, Rev. James Bates, pastor, and 
Rev. Eli Moody, delegate ; church in South Hadley, Rev. 
Joseph D. Condit, pastor, and Br. Samuel Judd, delegate; 
First Church in Amherst, Rev. John Sanford, delegate ; 
from South Church in Amherst, Rev. Dana Goodsell, and 
Br. Nathan E. Dickinson, delegate ; from the church in 
Amherst College, Rev. Professor William C. Fowler. 
Votes of the two churches were laid before the council, 
expressing a mutual desire of reunion, and no opposition 
appeared. The council decided that a union formed 
by two churches, by the unanimous votes of both, was in 
accordance with ecclesiastical usage ; wherefore the 
council voted " that in view of all the circumstances 
before them, they are satisfied with these proceedings, 
and do recognize the Brainerd Church and the First 
Church in Belchertown, as one church ; and to carry out 
the object of all the parties concerned, that the relation 
of Rev. Mr. Oviatt as pastor of the Brainerd Church be 
dissolved." And on due proceedings had, the council 
proceeded to install Rev. Mr. Oviatt pastor of the united 
church and society, in pursuance of an unanimous call by 
them given him and his acceptance. The parts in the 
exercises of the installation were as follows : Rev. Mr. 
Bates made the introductory prayer ; Rev. Professor 
Fowler preached the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Moody made the 
installing prayer ; Ptev. Mr. Perkins gave the charge to 



72 HISTORICAL SKETCHES GF THE 

the pastor ; Rev. Mr. Condit gave the right hand of 
fellowship ; Rev. Mr. Whiton made the address to the 
people ; Rev. Mr. Goodsell made the concluding prayer- 
At the time of the union of these churches, August 31, 
1841, the First Church included probably two hundred 
and fifty msmbers, perhaps three hundred including 
those that resided elsewhere, but had not removed their 
church relation. The exact number is not known. The 
Brainerd Church included about one hundred and eighty 
members. Most of these were from the First Church. 
Mr. Oviatt remained in the faithful and efficient dis- 
charge of his ministerial duties till July, 1845, and had 
the satisfaction of seeing the union of the churches suc- 
cessful under his administration. In June, 1845, he 
requested a dismission from the church and society. Mr. 
Oviatt's health was not firm, and the duties of his pastoral 
labors were arduous. The church and society complied 
with Mr. Oviatt'-s urgent request, in inviting a council to 
advise in the matter. It was called and the subject con- 
sidered. A unanimous desire was expressed to the coun- 
cil that the pastoral relation between Mr. Oviatt and 
them might not be dissolved. In view of the whole 
matter, knowing the state of Mr. Oviatt's health, the 
extent of his labors here, and the fact that a new field of 
labor opened before him to which he was at the same 
time invited, of taking the pastoral charge of a church 
and society about forming in Boston, (the Suffolk street 
Church), and his own desire, and expressed opinion that 
his health was not adequate to the labors of the pastor 
here, the council proceeded to dissolve the pastoral 
relation between him and this people. He immediately 
proceeded to take charge of the newly formed society in 
Boston, and was soon after installed as the pastor of that 



CONGREGAiTIONAI. CHFRCH -IN BEI/€HE^RTOWN. 73 

church and people. In February, 1839, Mr. Oyiatt ^aa 
married to Miss Martha Ann "Whittlesey, of New Haven, 
Connecticut. From the period of his dismission from 
this place, her health became impaired. She went to 
Boston, but disease had fastened upon her, and she 
lingered under its fearful progress, at the hospitable 
residence of her brother in law and sister, Hon. William 
T. Eustis and lady, till its final termination. She died 
April 6, 1846, in the full and cheering hope of a blessed 
immortality. 

Her traits of character were most estimable. Educated 
for usefulness, a mind of superior order, well disciplined 
and highly cultivated, with a discretion and judgment 
ever faithful and safe, sympathising with the afflicted, 
active in works of beneficence to all within the sphere of* 
her action, she lived the religion she professed ; it gave 
lustre to her whole character. Those who best kuew her 
could most justly appreciate her Worth. Mr. Oviatt is a 
native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, son of Daniel B. 
Oviatt Esq. ; he graduated at Yale College in 1835, and 
studied theology at the divinity school at Yale College. 
His father was a native of Milford, Connecticut ; son of 

■ Oviatt. Daniel B. Oviatt married Mary Roberts, 

daughter of William Roberts, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, 
who came from England during the Revolutionary war ; 
after the close of the war he settled and spent his life in 
Bridgeport. Rev. G. A. Oviatt is now (1851) settled in 
the ministry in Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachu* 
setts. ,., 

After the dismission of Mr. Oviatt, the desk was con- 
stantly supplied, without a settled ministry for seven 
months. In January, 1846, the Rev. John Clancey, hj 
iiivitation came among us for a supply ; he preached four 
7 



74 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Sabbaths. An invitation was extended to him to settle 
in the ministry, which was accepted. He was installed 
February 25, 1846, by a council convened for the pur- 
pose. Mr. Clancey, is a graduate of Middlebury College, 
of the class of 1818, studied theology at Andover, was 
settled in the ministry at Charlton, (N. Y.) where he 
remained about twenty years in the ministry ; had been 
dismissed from his pastoral labors with that people, 
before he came to this place. He remained here as the 
pastor of this people till March 27th, 1849, when he was 
dismissed by an Ecclesiastical council, mutually called to 
take into consideration " the difficulties that have arisen 
in respect to the pastoral relation existing between Rev. 
John Clancey and the church and society here, and to give 
such judgment and advice in regard to the continuance 
or dissolution thereof as they may deem proper, and to 
dissolve the said relation, if, in their judgment it shall 
be deemed advisable." In pursuance of this call, a 
council was convened and the subject considered. No 
difficulties were stated to exist between Mr. Clancey and 
the people, and no allegations against his character in 
any respect. Votes of the society, and of the church, had 
been taken at meetings of these bodies, expressive of their 
views as to the expediency of a continuance of Mr. 
Clancey's labors among this people ; their doings were laid 
before the council, and their judgment was unanimous in 
favor of a dissolution of the pastoral relation, giving him 
plenary testimonials that he sustained a fair christian and 
ministerial character. Mr. Clancey returned to Charlton ; 
is still laboring in the ministry, in supplying destitute 
churches. 

In May, 1849, Rev. Samuel Wolcott was invited to 
supply the desk. He came and preached the first Sabbath 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 75 

in June, and the three next succeeding Sabbaths. Such 
was the impression made on the public mind by the 
labors of Mr. Wolcott, that a meeting of the church and 
of the society, was duly notified and held on the 9th of 
July, and votes passed unanimously in each of these 
•bodies, extending a call to Mr. Wolcott, to settle with us 
in the gospel ministry, and immediately communicated to 
him. He returned an answer under date of July 26, 
accepting the invitation, reserving a fcAV weeks to close 
some engagements then occupying his attention. In due 
time preparations were made for convening a council for 
his installation. The council convened on the second 
day of October. The gentlemen of the council officiating 
in the exercises were, reading the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. 
Cross, late of Palmer, at the time without pastoral 
charge. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Oviatt, a for- 
mer pastor of the church. Sermon by Rev. Professor 
Smith, of Amherst College. Installing praj'er, by Rev. 
Mr. Bates, of Granby. Charge to the pastor, by Rev. 
Dr. Woodbridge, of Hadley. Fellowship of the churches, 
by Rev. Mr. Laury, of South Hadley. Address to the 
people, by Rev. Mr. Colton of Amherst. Concluding 
prayer, by Rev. Mr. McEwen, of Enfield. Benediction 
by the pastor. The exercises were appropriate and well 
received by a large and attentive auditory. Mr. Wolcott 
immediately entered upon the duties of his station, 
moving his family here a few days previous to his instal- 
lation. Some of the results of his labors were soon seen 
in an increased attention to religious concerns. It be- 
came general in diff"erent parts of the town, and among 
all ages, continuing for several months. The fruit of that 
revival, has been eighty-seven members added to the 
church by profession, since Mr. Wolcott's installation, 



76 HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF THE 00 

and sixteen by letter from other churches. The congr^ 
gation has increa&ed, and .blessings multiplied under his 
ministrations. ' ^^iiij-oo/rr :; t :.':! ,::j;'.}~/.'" .'iM 1o i- 

Mr. Wolcott, is a native of East Windsor, Ct., son of 
Elihu Wolcott, Esq., now residing in Jacksonville, 111., 
born July, 1813. His mother, a daughter of Rev. David 
McClure, D. D., of East Windsor. He is a lineal 
descendant from Henry Wolcott, born in Tolland, Eng- 
land, and removed to this country ; with his wife and six 
children in 1630; they belonged to the company of 
emigrants, that removed from Dorchester to Windsor, in 
1635. Their descendants were numerous, and distin- 
guished as prominent in the affairs of church and state, 
from the earliest history of Connecticut. Rev. Samuel 
Wolcott, was a graduate of Yale College, in 1833 ; he 
passed the first year after his graduation at Yale, in the- 
ological study. In 1835, he entered upon a course: lof 
study at Andover, completing his course preparatory to 
his license in 1837. The two next years he was engaged 
in assisting the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners 
for Foreign Missions, at the Mission House in Boston. 
In September 1839, he married Miss Catherine E. Wood, 
daughter of Ezra Wood^ ^q., of Westminster, Massachu- 
setts. November 13, he was ordained, at the Bowdoin 
street Church, in Boston, as a foreign missionary, and 
embarked for Syria, under the direction of the Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, with his wife, Janu- 
ary following, and arrived at Beyrout the next April. 
Soon removed to Areiyah, a village in Mount Lebanon. 
The rising of the mountaineers against the Pasha of 
JEgypt, who h6ld the country, comjDclled him to return 
to Beyrout, with loss of a portion of his effects ; soon 
after he went to El Abadiyeh, another village of Mount 



CONGREGATIONAL CIIUllCIl IX BELCHEHTOWX. 77 

Lebanon, but the arrival of the allied English, Austrian 
and Turkish fleets, off the Coast, in August, obliged him 
to return to Beyrout, receiving notice from the British 
Admiral, of his intention to bombard the town. He 
removed with his family, to the Island of Cyprus, for a 
little season, returning alone to the place from which he 
had recently been driven ; he arrived on the morning the 
town capitulated, and was able to preserve the missionary 
property. In the spring of 1841, he visited Damascus, 
and spent the summer with his family, at Deir El Kamr, 
the capital town of Mount Lebanon. Here he opened a 
school for the sons of the Druze Sheiks. His labors, 
and his residence in the mountains were suddenly inter- 
rupted by a sanguinary civil war, in which his effects 
were pillaged by the ruthless robbers, and he compelled 
to leave the place. At Beyrout, on the 26th of October, 
1841, his wife died, of a short and very distressing 
illness. He passed the following vv inter in Jerusalem, 
making investigations, visiting various parts of that city 
of renown, and places contiguous, rendered sacred by a 
thousand hallowed associations. In the spring of 1842, 
he returned to Beyrout, spending the summer at Biiam- 
down, a village in Mount Lebanon, remaining there till 
his labors were again interrupted by a civil >var. Amid 
the most severe family afflictions, Mr. Wolcott expe- 
rienced peculiar trials in his missionary labors, by reason 
of the unsettled condition of the affairs of governments, 
and the war-moving elements with which he was almost 
continually surrounded, breaking in upon his labors and 
interrupting his plans of operation. In January, 1843, 
he embarked at Beyrout for his native land, returning 
by way of England, arrived in Boston, April 21, 1843. 
Extended accounts have been given of Mr. Wolcott's 



78 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OE THE 

labors and travels, during his residence in Syria and 
Palestine, and at the East, in several American Journals. 
Some of them may be found in the Missionary Herald, 
February number, 1841, and the March number, 1842; 
and in the first number of " Bibliotheca Sacra," edited 
by Professor Robinson, and published February, 1843. 
It will be perceived, says Dr. Robinson in his " Biblio- 
theca Sacra," that most of the communications from Pal- 
estine, are from Rev. Mr. Wolcott, who has traversed 
the country and explored Jerusalem, with an eye of a 
keen and intelligent observer, and wl;ose remarks have 
furnished several important corrections in the Biblical 
researches in that country, published by the editor." In 
August 1843, Mr. Wolcott was installed as pastor, over 
the Congregational church and society, in Longmeadow. 
November 1st, 1843, he married Miss. Harriet A. Pope, 
daughter of Jonathan A. Pope, Esq., of Millbury, Mas- 
sachusetts. He was dismissed from the church and people 
of Longmeadow, December 27, 1847, by a mutual council 
called for the purpose. He subsequently spent some time 
in preparing a geneological history of the Wolcott family, 
which is yet in manuscript. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CIIUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 79 



PASTORS 

OF THE CONGKEGATIOKAE CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN, 
FROM ITS ORGANIZATION FOR ONE HUND- 
RED AND FOURTEEN YEARS. 

Rev. Edward Billing, settled 1739, dismissed 1752, died about 
1757. 
" Justus Forward, settled 1756, died 1814, aged 8-1. 
" Experience Porter, installed 1812, dismissed 1825, died 1828, 

aged 46. 
" Lyman Coleman, ordained 1825, dismissed 1832. 
«< Jared Reid, installed 1833, dismissed, 1841. 
" George A. Oviatt, 1841, dismissed 1845. 
« John Clancey, installed 1846, dismissed 1849. 
« Samuel Wolcott.oUiwittiid' 1849. 



im^^[:^JU*.^c- 



Interims between the dismission of one pastor 
and the settlement of his successor. 

Between Mr. Billing and Mr. Forward, about 3 years and 10 mo. 

'« Mr. Porter and Mr. Coleman, about 7 months. 

" Mr. Coleman and Mr. Reid, about 1 year. 

«* Mr. Reid and Oviatt, about 8 months. 

" Mr. Oviatt and Mr. Clancey, about 8 months. 

« Mr. Clancey and Mr. Wolcott, about 7 months. 
Fractions of time in days not computed ; making an aggregate of 
eight years and two months without a settled ministry, in one 
hundred and fourteen years. The desk has been statedly supplied 
when there has been no settled ministry. 



no HISTORICAL SKETCTIES OF THE 

The roLLowixG list comprises the names or those 

WHO HATE sustained THE OIPICE OF DEACON IN THIS 
CHURCH. 

See their numbers for additional notices of tlieir office. 

John Smith, No. 1. 

Aaron L^^man, " 3. 

Elijah Smith, "11. 

Joseph Smith, " 16. 

Edward Smith, " 163. 

Elijah Dwight, " 215. 

Am.asa Smith, " 229. 

Eliakim Phelps, " 222. 

James Walker, " 2r)6. 

Oliver S. Taylor, ...-.aBB-i*" 584. 



Daniel PhdiijJ^- ^^M0§^^^'^- 

Anson^od^s* ^ m W ,, g7(j 

John M. Spooner, " 863. 

Henry A. Bridgman, " 460. 

Israel Towne, " 878. 

William Phelps, " 463. 

At the time of the union of the two churches, in 1841, 
Daniel Phelps, John M. Spooner, Israel Towne, and Will- 
iam Phelps, were the officiating deacons in the first church, 
and Henry A. Bridgman, (460) Elijah Amadon, (1156) and 
Elisha Abbey, (655) were the officiating deacons in the 
Brainerd Church. After that union they all officiated as 
deacons in the united church till 1850, when they all 
resigned their office. The church then chose Daniel 
Phelps, Israel Towne, Elisha Abbey and Ephraim Monta- 
gue for deacons. These four now sustain that office in 
the church. 



CONGEEGATIOI^AL CHUECH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 81 

Aoao giiiod 

LIST OF COMMUNICANTS . ornd 

In the congkegational chubch in belchertown, 
from its organization in 1837, to 1851. '"^ 

EXPLANATIONS. 

The names of the church members are represented by- 
numbers standing in columns on the left margin of the 
page, against the name represented. When these num* 
bars are used elsewhere in these pages, corresponding 
iwith the column numbers, and representing names, they 
are inclosed in parenthesis. Sometimes I trace lineage 
by numbers ; for example ; take No. (958), it represents 
Phineas C. Walker, son of (412); turn to No. (412); 
you find that number represents Aaron Walker, son of 
(243) ; turn to No. (243), you find that number represents 
Hezkiah Walker, son of (99) ; turn to No. (99), you find 
that number represents Capt. James Walker, and there 
find his birth place, parentage, marriage, when he came to 
this place, and from whence, time of his death and age. 
Sometimes the name is used with the number representing 
it. Numbers are never used representing names except 
when representing church memhers. The family names 
of married women are always given when known, and 



82 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

represented as follows: in No. (131), Ilnmcc {D wight) 
wife of Joseph Graves ; her family name before marriage 
being enclosed in parenthesis and printed in italics. Frac- 
tions in years, or in age, are not noticed. Periods of death 
may in some cases be inaccurately stated. When I could 
have access to record-evidence, I have in all cases given 
it. When I could not, I have taken dates of deaths and 
other facts from the memory of the living ; when this 
source of information has seemed to be in a good degree 
accurate, I have taken it as giving the facts sought. I am 
aware that memory cannot always be relied on for accu- 
racy in dates. It would be strange if errors should not be 
found in these as well as other things, in these pages. 
Facts resting on traditionary history, are so stated. Facts 
stated from memory have been obtained, so far as practi- 
cable, from those best prepared to give them correctly. 

When removals of church members to other churches 
have taken place, and known, the facts are stated, with the 
time of removal and place removed to. In many cases, 
where members of the church are gone from us, no trace 
of record or any other evidence can be found, noticing the 
removal. All that is known of them, is they are gone. 
In some cases a general certificate of membership has been 
taken by persons going away, and whether they have 
united with any other church is not kno\vn. I have added 
against the names of several individuals the word " Re- 
moved,'' showing that they are gone from us, but not 
known where or whether living. Our church records are 
very imperfect, short, and inaccurate. N'amcs are some- 
times represented by the initials only ; and in removals 
and deaths, and in other events relating to an individual, 
the record is, Mr. A. removed or died &-c., when the desig- 
nation would apply to several persons with equal accura* 



CO^TGEEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN . 83 

cy. I have, with much labor, sought facts to guide me, 
and from all means within my reach, and from the most 
correct sources. No record of a death can be found on 
our church records from the year 1833 to 1841. Many 
omissions of other things and at other periods are found 
in church records, of what they should contain, and usu- 
ally do contain. 

Names of some who have been communicants, are not 
to be found on the church records. In some instances the 
first notice of their names in church documents, is when 
they have asked a letter of recommendation from the 
church. When by any satisfactory evidence, I have ascer- 
tained the membetship of individuals, I have inserted 
their narfies as communicants. After all, probably some 
may find their names omitted on both chronological and 
alphabetical lists. In numbering the list of names as first 
drawn, some names were not found ; they either were not 
on the records, or overlooked. In designating these as 
taken in a new draft, I add a fraction to the number. 
Take number (319), '" Mary, the wife of Giles Lyman." 
The three names next following are designated (3 19 J) 
(319|) and (3195). The arrangement was begun by num- 
bers indicating persons, and I have found it difficult to 
change the numbers after going through with them, with 
the various references they bear in designating persons ; 
therefore I used fractions. 



84 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



) The following list comprises the names, with their num- 
bers, of those who have been communicants in the con- 
gregational Church in Belchertown, from its organization 
in 1737 to 1851. There are no church records remaining 
anterior to February 25th, 1756. The names of those who 
were communicants, and were removed from the church 
by death, or otherwise, before that time, are not to be 
found. The names corresponding with the first 68 num- 
bers, stand on the church records as communicants at that 
date, being the date of Rev. Mr. Forward's settlement^ 
February 25th, 1756. A very few of these 68 communi- 
cants did not unite with this church till after Mr. For- 
ward's settlement, though they were communicants. These 
few names are found among the 68, and also registered as 
uniting with this church afterwards, when they removed 
their church relations. 



Numbers. 
1. 



Names. ' 

John Smith, a native of Hadley, son 
of Joseph Smith, born 1687, married 
Elizabeth Hovey, of Hadley, in 1709, 
removed to Hatfield 1711 ; was chosen 
a Deacon of the church in Hatfield, 
remained in Hatfield till 1736, raised a 
family there ; came to Cold Spring in 
1736, was chosen the first deacon in 
this church at its organization in 1737. 
A prominent actor in the civil and re- 
ligious aff'airs of this place. He was 
authorized by the general court, to call 
the first meeting ever called by Legis- 
lative authority, of the settlers in Cold 
Spring for police purposes, for choosing 
precinct officers, and raising money to 
support the gospel, and for other pru- 
dential aff'airs. It was held April 28, 



Deaths. Age. 



odl 



CONGREGATIONAL CHrRCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 85 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

1740. The church records say of him, 

" A valuable man in his day." He died 1777 91 



2. 



3. 



Elizabeth (Hovey,) wife of No. 1, 
she died, 

See Genealogy, Appendix A. 

Aaron Lyman, a native of North- 
ampton, son of Benjamin Lyman, came 
to Cold Spring in 1731 ; married 
Eunice D wight, was chosen deacon in 
this church at its organization, lived 
here through life, raised a family here. 
He died, 

See Appendix B. 



Eunice {Divight), wife of (3). 
was sister to (42) ; died. 



She 



Ahner Smith, son of (1), born in 
Hatfield, 1712 ; came to Cold Spring 
in 1733, married Polly Lyman,, daugh- 
ter of (3), removed from this place to 
Springfield, where he kept a public 
house and the county jail for several 
years. He died with the small pox, 
about the year, 

Polly [Lyman) wife of (5). 

Daniel Smith, a native of Hatfield, 
son of (1), born 1716 ; came to Cold 
Spring, with his brother (5), married 
Abigail Sacket, of Westfield. He died. 



1777 
1758 



1780 



11760 



70 



Abigail {Sacket) wife of (7). 
died. 

8 



She 



1777 



1800 



1797 



75 



52 



65 



84 



75 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Joseph Smith, a native of Hatfield, 
born 1720 ; son of (1), was deacon of 
this churcli, chosen in 1770, was 
father of Rev. Amasa, Eli, and John 
Smith; see (229), (279), and (248); 
was the first Representative to the 
General Court, under the present State 
Constitution, a prominent and useful 
man ; he married Eunice Bascom, and 
died at the residence of his son Solo- 
man Smith, in Lyme, N. H. 

Eunice {Bascom) wife of (9). 

See Appendix A. 

Elijah Smith, a native of Hatfield, 
son of (1), born 1723 ; came to Cold 
Spring with his father in 1736; mar- 
ried Sybel Worthington, of Colchester, 
Connecticut, in 1751 ; was deacon of 
this church, chosen in 1761, was father 
of Rev. Ethan Smith. The church 
records say of him, " His natural parts 
were very great. He had a quick turn 
of thought, depth of penetration, a 
solid reason and judgment, a tenacious 
memory, a handsome utterance and an 
agreeable deportment, and was on 
good ground, esteemed a man of true 
piety, and universally beloved and 
greatly lamented." He died, 

His widow died in Hadley, May 26, 
1828, aged 101 years. 

See Appendix A. 

Jonathan Graves, a native of Hat- 
field, son of Jonathan Graves, born 



Deaths. Ag«. 



1803 



1770 



83 



47 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 
IVunibera. Names. Deaths 

1701, and remained here during life ; 
he died. 



13. 



14. 



15. 



16 



17. 



19. 



Wife of (12); born 1711; died, 

See Appendix L. 

Ebenezer Bridgman, a native of 
Northampton, son of John Bridgman, 
born 1686, married Mary Parsons, 
1710; came to Cold Spring with his 
family about 1732; remained here 
during life. He died, 

Mary {Parsons), wife of (14), born 
1680; died. 

See Appendix C. 

Joseph Bridgman, son of (14), born 
11 Northampton, 1712 ; was deacon 
here, chosen 1770. He died, 

EUzaheth, wife of (16), born 1706. 
She died. 

See Appendix C. 

Benjamin Stehbins, a native of 
Northampton, son of Samuel Stebbins, 
born 1711 ; came to Cold Spring in 
July, 1731 ; one of the first families 
that made permanent settlement here ; 
tradition says, the first family ; he 
remained here th ougli life ; raised a 
family, several families of his descend 
ants are now here. He died, 

Wife of (18), born 1709. She died, 

See Appendix D. 



1787 
1769 



1760 
1770 

1773 
1789 



1789 
1769 



87 

Ag«. 

86 
58 



74 
90 

61 
83 



78 
60 



88 



HISTOHICAIi SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

21. 



22. 



23. 



24. 



26. 



27. 



28. 



29. 



Names. 

Walter Fairfield, a native of Lex- 
ington or Ipswich, an early settler 
here, and from Northampton, but not 
among the first. He came here about 
the year 1742. He died. 



Deaths. Age. 



Judith, wife and 
She died, 



widow of (21). 



1785 



1793 



1785 



Stephen Fairfield, son of (21), born 
1711. He died, 

Abigail, vfiiQ of (23), born 1708. 
She died, 

Mary {Hutchinson), vf lie of William 
Hannum, a native of Northampton, 
born 1692. She died, 

Her husband born 1690, and died 
in this town 1756, aged 66. 

William Hannum, came to this 
place in 1732 ; lived here till his death. 

Samuel Hannum, a native of North- 
ampton, brother of William, born 
1692 ; they came to this place togeth- 
er ; he married Mercy Hutchinson sis- 
ter of (26) before he came here ; came 
with a family. He had two sons, Sam- 
uel and Phineas. He died, 

His wife Mercy, died suddenly Sept. 
28th, 

Moses Hannum, a native of North- 
ampton, son of William Hannum, born 
1718; came liere with his father in 
1732 ; he had four sons, Moses, Wil- 
liam, Joshua and David. He died, 1 1802 



1756 



1770 



83 



1780 



1796 



86 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 89 



Nambera. Names. Deaths. Age. 

At this time, 1802, there were but five 
men and four women living that were 
householders when Mr. Forward was 
settled, February, 1756. 



30. 
31. 



32. 



33. 



34. 



35. 
36. 



Lydia, wife of (29), born 1719. She 
died, 

Aaron Hannum, a native of North- 
ampton, born 1 722 ; son of William 
Hannum and Mary (26), brother of 
(29) ; came to this place with his fath- 
er. He died, 

Rachel {Smith), wife of (31), daugh- 
ter of (1), sister of (9). She died in 
her widowhood, 

Gideon Hannum, son of William and 
brother of (29) and (31). His moth- 
er was (26). He died, 

His wife and widow, Abia, died Feb- 
ruary, 1796. 

See Appendix K. 

Josejjh Phelps, a native of North- 
ampton, son of William Phelps, born 
1699. He was uncle to (36) ; became 
here in 1731 or 1732. He died, 

Hannah, wife of (34.) She died, 

Eliakim Phelps, a native of North- 
ampton, son of William Phelps, and 
grandson of William, born 1709 ; came 
here very early in the settlement. He 
died here, 

^'8 



1796 



1776 



1811 



1786 



77 



1782 
1779 



1777 



54 



85 



59 



83 
70 



69 



IIISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Aga 

Churcli records say of liim, " lie was 
esteemed a pious man." 



Elizaheth {Rust), wife of (3G). She 
died, 

See Appendix G. 

Nathan Parsons, came to this place 
about the year 1746. He was brother 
of Rev. David Parsons, the first min- 
ister settled in Amherst, settled there 
in 1739, Nathan was father ofEldad 
Parsons, Esq., (223) and (250) ; he 
raised a family here. He died, 

Moses Warner, a native of Hatfield, 
son of Ebenezer Warner, born 1717 ; 
married Sarah Porter in 1739; came 
to this town about 1747. He died, 

Sarah (Porter), wife of (39), native 
of Hadley. She died, 

Ehcnezer Warner, a native of Hat- 
field, son of Ebenezer, brother of (39), 
born 1729; came to this town about 
1752; married Dinah Phelps, daugh- 
ter of (34); raised a family here. He 
died, 

See Appendix H. 

Nathaniel Dwight, son of Nathaniel 
D wight of Northampton, born 1712; 
came here among the first settlers ; 
married Hannah Lyman, sister of (3), 
was a prominent man here in all civil 
and religious aff'airs ; went into the 
French war with a Captain's commis- 
sion, August 9th, 1757. He received an 



1752 



1806 



1759 



1757 



1812 



40 



86 



42 



35 



83 



CONGHEGATIOXAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEETOAYX. 



9l 



Numhers. Names. 

order from Col. Williams, of Hatfield, 
then a militia Captain, to muster and 
march his company, without delay, 
for the relief of Fort William Henry, 
near Lake George ; that fort was at- 
tacked by a party of French and Indi- 
ans, of 11,000. The same day the 
company was under marching orders, 
met the Regiment at Westfield, pro- 
ceeded to Kinderhook, received intelli- 
gence that the Fort had capitulated ; 
they were discharged, and returned 
home. Capt. D wight was active and 
useful in the struggle in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and in promoting the best 
interests of the early settlers ; and did 
much to advance the settlement. He 
spent his days here ; raised a family. 
He died, 

Hannah {Lyman), wife of (42), sis- 
ter of (3). She died, 

See Appendix F. 

Hezekiah Root, a native of North- 
ampton, son of Hezekiah Root, of that 
place, born 1714; came here among 
the early settlers, before 1736. He 
was brother of Orlando (105). He 
married and raised a family here. He 
died, 

Mary wife of (44). She died. 
They had three children, Elisha, 

(124) Hezekiah and Miriam (108). 

See Orlando (105) for lineage. 

Thomas Brown ; his name is very 



Deaths. Agn. 



1784 



1792 



1792 



1800 



72 



84 



78 



85 



92 



IIISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Nimes. Deitlis. Age. 

early here, and remained here through 

a long life in usefulness. He died, 1796 



Maliitalcl, wife of Thomas Brown. 
She died, 

Thomas Chapin, early here, though 
his name is not among the first settlers, 
came here about 1748. He died, 

Jerusha, wife of (48) ; she was from 
Sunderland. She died, 

Thankful Chapin, daughter of (48). 

Li/dia, wife of Thomas Chapin, Jr. 
Thomas Jr. was son of (48). He died, 
in 1758, aged 26; left a son (244) ; 
widow liydia (51), married John Ams- 
dcn, of Dceriield, in 1760, and re- 
moved. 

Benjamin Morgan ; he came here 
earlybut not among the first, probably 
in 1750 ; spent his days here ; he hud 
three sons, Benjamin, Titus, and Gad, 
and one daughter, Sarah. She mar- 
ried Benjamin Billings. See (275). 
Benjamin Morgan was the last survi- 
vor of those who acted here in 1756, 
when Mr. Forward was settled. He 
died August 21st, 1812; about one 
and a half years before Mr. Forward, 
aged 93 years. 

M try Cowhs, widow of John Cowles, 
of Hatfield, mother of (56) and (85). 
She died. 



1811 



1781 



1773 



1812 



1795 



100 

76 

86 

77 



93 



89 



COXGKEGATIONAL CIIUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 



93 



Numbers. 

54. 



55. 



56. 



57. 



Names. Deaths. Age . 

NatJian Coiclcs, a native of Hatfield, 
he was the brotlier of John, who was 
father to (56) and (85). 



Wife of Nathan Cowle« ; they re- 
sided here for several years and moved 
away. 

Israel Cozvles, a native of Hatfield, 
son of John Cowles, born 1727 ; came 
here in the early settlement. Died, 

Lydia Bardwell, wife of (5G), daugh- 
ter of (66), sister of (86), born 1735. 
She died, 

See Appendix M. 



08. 1 Ebcnezer Steams, ) 
59.1 iHari/, Avife of (58) j 

j They were from the Church in Sut- 
ton ; Rev. Mr. Hall was pastor. Died, 



60. 



61. 
62. 
63. 

64. 



Thomas Graves, a native of Hatfield. 
The family of Graves came here early, 
before 1735 ; he was son of Samuel 
Graves, who was father of John Graves, 
(62) and uncle to Jonathan (12); he 
married Lydia Graves, a daughter of 
Isaac, a cousin. Died, 

Lydia {Graves), wife of (60). Died, 

John Graves. Died, 

Lydia Graves, daughter of (60). 
Died, 

See Apjjendix L. 

Benjamin Billings, a native of Hat- 



1797 

1802 

1759 
1757 



1784 

1777 
1798 

1779 



r 



70 

67 
69 
60 



92 
85 
80 

53 



94 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 



Names. 

1704 : a cousin 



DcatliS. Agn 



field, born 1704; a cousin of Rev. 
Edward Billing, the first minister set- 
tled here ; his name is uniformly 
written without the s, final, but is the 
same name as Billings. Benjamin was 
among the first settlers here ; he mar- 
ried Mary Hastings, of Hatfield, a 
daughter of Joshua Hastings, liA'ed 
iiere through life and raised a family. 
He died, 

Marij {Hastings), wife of (64). She 
died, 

Joseph Bar dwell, a native of Hat- 
field, son of John Bardwell ; came here 
with his father among the first settlers. 
He died, 

See Appendix I. 

Lydia, wife of (66). She died, 

Violet Bardwell, wifeof Capt. Jona- 
than Bardwell ; her husband was the 
youngest son of John Bardwell, born in 
Hatfield, brother of (66) ; he died here 
in the year 1781, aged 57. His widow 
Violet remained here through life. 
She died, 

See Appendix I. 



ADMITTED 1756. 

Amr/, wifeof (38). She died, 

Dinah ( Phelps), wife of (41 ), daugh- 
ter of (34). She died. 



1782 



1788 



1791 



1800 86 



1790 



1798 96 



1812 



CONGEEGATIOXAL CIIUECH IN BELCHEPvTOWN. 95 



Names 

Stephen Crmcfoot, son of Joseph 
Crawfoot, of Northampton, who died 
there in 1726, and grandson to Joseph 
Crawfoot who died in Northampton in 
1678. Stephen was an early settler 
here, before 1737. He was a soldier 
in the French Avar from this place. 
His son Elijah, was the first child 
baptized by Rev. Mr. Forward, after 
his settlement here ; it was May 16th, 
1756; Stephen died about, 

Martha, wife of (71), removed from 
here. 

James Towne, died at Greenbush, 
New York, returning from service in 
the French war, upon northern fron- 
tiers, in the year. 



D'jaths. Age. 



Aime, wife of (73), 
removed. 



after his death 



Syhel {Worthingfon), wife of (11), 
daughter of Daniel Worthington of 
Colchester, Connecticut ; born April, 
1726, married 1751; was mother of 
Rev. Ethan Smith. Sheied in Had- 
ley, May, 

Keceivedfrom other Churches. 

Rehekah Thopping, from the church 
in Beverly, by letter from Rev. Mr. 
Champney, pastor ; she married Oliver 
Newton, in 1762. She died, 



1765 



1758 



1827 



1793 



55 



36 



101 



93 



96 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Numbers. Names. 

1757. 



Noah Bowker, 

"Wife of Noah Bowkcr, 



) Moved 
j away. 



Judith, wife of Martin Domer ; she 
was left a widow, and married Jede- 
diah Ayres, of Ware, in 1761, and 
moved to that place. 

Received from other Churches. 

Wife of Thomas Chapin, Jr., from 
the church in Sunderland, Rev. Joseph 
Ashley, pastor. She died. 

Ehenezer Stearns, 2d, ) 

Jane, wife of (83), J 

From 2d, church in Sutton, Rev. 
James Willman, pastor. They remov- 
ed from here. 

1758. 

CajJt. John Cowles, a native of Hat- 
field, son of John, hrother of (56), 
born 1731. He died, 

See Appendix M. 

Hannah {Bardwcll), wife of (85) 
daujrhter of (66), sister of (57). She 
died, 

Daniel Worthington, a native of 
Colchester, Connecticut, son of Daniel 
Worthington, born August, 1732 ; he 
was brother of widow Amy Sexton, 
2d, wife of (99). See (287^) ; he came 



Deaths. Age. 



1812 



93 



1811 



1813 



80 



76 



CO>?^GIlEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 97 



ICambers. Names. 

to this place in 1753 ; was a soldier 
in the French war, went out in Capt. 
Nathaniel Dwight's company, for the 
relief of Fort William Henry in 1757, 
and in other service. He died in 
Woodstock, Vermont, in 



From other Churches. 

Wife of John Lumbard, from the 
church in Brimfield. She died, 

John Lumbard and wife were the 
parejits of John, Mary and David. 

1759. 

Ahigail Phelps, removed. 

From other Churches. 

Sarah ( Worthington), wife of Major 
Josiah Lyman, (221) ; she was a native 
of Colchester, Connecticut, daughter 
of Daniel Worthington and sister of 
(87), born November, 1734. She died, 

Samuel Worthington, a native of 
Colchester, Connecticut, son of Daniel 
Worthington, and brother of (87), 
born February 1728. He died in Shel- 
burne, in. 

From the church in Colchester. 

Elizabeth, wife of (91), from the 
same. See (308) and (309). 

Joshua Wilder, from the church in 
Lancaster, and removed from here. 
9 



Deaths. Age. 



1830 



1764 



1799 



1790 



98 



35 



65 



62 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

1761. 



Deaths. Age. 



Samuel Belknap, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war. He died in service 

at Cambridge, 

Mary his wife, removed after his 
death. 

Francis Newton, removed. 

Wife of Francis Newton ; she was 
Elizabeth Fairfield, daughter of (23). 

Capt. James Walker, a native of 
Weston, born November, 1732, son 
of Nathaniel Walker. He early moved 
to Sturbridge ; there he married Esther 
Shumway, sister of (174) in 1754. 
He moved to this place in 1755. His 
wife Esther died in 1786, aged 50. 
For a 2d wife, he married (28 7 J) in 
1787. He was father of Dea. James 
Walker (256), Hezekiah Walker (243), 
Silas Walker (317), Jason Walker 
(427), and Nathaniel Walker (410). 
These five sons of his, with the excep- 
tion of Hezekiah are now (June 1851) 
living in this town. The united ages 
of these four brothers now living here 
is 344 years. Hezekiah died in 1845, 
aged 84. James Walker had three oth- 
er sons besides the above five, Elijah, 
David and Samuel ; he had one daugh- 
ter, Patty ; she married Timothy Gold- 
smith, 1794. James Walker served as 
a soldier in the French war, in 1757 ; 
he spent his days here, and died in 
1806, aged 74. Nathaniel Walker, 



1775 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH IX BELCHERTOWN. 99 



Numbers. Names. 

the father of James Walker (99), mar- 
ried Submit Brewer, and moved from 
Weston to Stiirbridge, with his family 
in 1748. This Nathaniel was son of 
John Walker, who lived and died in 
Weston. John Walker was son of 
Samuel Walker, who lived at Woburn, 
and was a representative to the gener- 
al court from that toAvn in 1689. Sam- 
uel was son of Augustine Walker, 
who was admitted as a Freeman in 
Charlestown, in 1641. He was from 
England, and was the ancestor of Rev. 
Timothy Walker, of Concord, New 
Hampshire. Rev. Timothy was father 
of Hon. Timothy Walker of Concord, 
New Hampshire. The Hon. Amasa 
Walker, of North Brookfield, and Sec- 
retary of State for the Commonwealth 
of .''lassachusetts, is a lineal descendant, 
a great grandson, of John Walker, who 
lived and died in Weston. 

Esther {Shiwiioay), wife of (99), sis- 
ter of (174). She died, 

Mary Fairfield, daughter of (23), 
married Samuel Cook, of Hadley, in 
1761, and removed there. 

Joseph Billings, a native of Hat- 
field, son of Benjamin Billings (64), 
he died 1809, aged 77. He was fath- 
er or Joseph Billings, who died in this 
town 1828, aged 66, and was grand- 
father of Joel Billings, who died in 
this town, April 1845, aged 56 ; Joel 
was son to Joseph, who died in 1828. 



Deaths. Ag«. 



1786 



50 



100 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. 

103. Abigail (Crawfoot), his wife ; she 
was daughter of (71). She died, 

Joseph Billings, and Abigail Craw- 
foot were married November, 1756, 
the first marriage attended and record- 
ed by Rev. Mr. Forward after his set- 
tlement here. 

Naomi (Stehhins), wife of Israel 
Towne, daughter of (18), sister of 
(129). Israel Towne, her husband, 
was the son of Israel Towne of Oxford, 
who died there in 1771, aged 87. His 
widow Susanna died at her son Israel's 
house in this place, in 1787, aged 97, 
of whom the church record says, " she 
was of the Haven family, a woman of 
great knowledge and memory, and 
hopefully pious." For farther parti- 
culars of the Towne family. See Ap- 
pendix E. Naomi died February 21, 

1762. 

Orlando Root, a native of North- 
ampton, born 1733, son of Hezekiah 
Root, of Northampton, and brother of 
(44). Hezekiah of Northampton, was 
the son of Thomas Root of North- 
ampton, who was grandson of Thomas 
Root, one of the first settlers in North- 
ampton, and one of the eight compris- 
ing the male members of the church, 
in its first formation in Northampton, 
April 18, 1661. Thomas died in 
Northampton in 1694, at an advanced 
age. He had two sons (or more) John 
and Josej)h. John moved to Westfield 



Deaths. Age. 



1813 



1827 



80 



91 



congregatiojs^al, chukch in belchektown. 



101 



Numbers. . Names. 

and died there in 1687, aged 44. 
Joseph, son of Thomas, had a son 
Thomas, who was father of Hezekiah, 
and grand-father of Hezekiah (44), and 
of Orlando (105). Orlando died in, 
this town 1805, aged 72 ; leaving two I 
sons Orlando (438), and Elihu (511). 
Orlando (105), had several daughters ; i 
Asenath (252), married William 
Towne, brother of (241), in 1788, and! 
moved to Granville, New York. Julia '\ 
(293), Molly (276), Hannah, Dimmis, ! 
(295), Rhoda (320) ; Amanda married i 
Amos Washburn, of Williamsburg, in 
1800, and removed to that j)lace. I 

1763. 

Sarah, wife of Joseph Phelps, Jr. 
her husband was son of (34). 

1764. 

Mary, wife of (105). 

Miriam Root, daughter of (44). 

RehekaJi, 1st wife of Oliver Newton. 
She died January, 

In May, 1771, he married widow 
Elizabeth Marsh. 

1765. 

Elizaheth Crawfoot, widow of Eben- 
ezer Crawfoot ; her husband was son 
of (71) ; he was killed by the falling 
of a barn in Pittsfield, in 1764, aged 

*9 



Deaths. Age. 



1771 



35 



102 

Number*. 
111. 

112. 
113. 



114. 

115. 
116. 
117. 

118. 

119. 
120. 



HISTOKICAI. SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. 

27. She was Elizabeth Billings, daugh- 
ter of (64). She died, 

Josiah Carrier^ removed. 

Philip Carrier, removed. 

1766. 

Asa Shumway, born 1739. He died, 

He was father of Alfred and Abi- 

jah Shumway, who recently have been 

or are residing in this place, and 

raised families here. 

Eunice {Bar dwell), wife of Asa 
Shumway, daughter of (66), sister of 
(233). She died, 

Aaron Phelps, son of (34). 

Mary {Amsden), wife of (115). 

Joanna Moody, daughter of (120), 
married David Warriner, Jr., of Wil- 
braham, in 1771, and removed. 

Jerusha Moody, daughter of (120), 
She died. 

From other Churches, 

Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Carrier 
from the church in Colchester, Rev. 
Mr. llobbins, pastor. She died, 

Ebenezer Moody, from the church 



Deaths. Ago. 



1783 



1811 



1831 



1776 



1774 



42 



72 



87 



22 



63 



CONGEEGATIOXAL CHUECH IN BEJLCHEKTOWX. 103 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age 

in Hadley, Rev. Mr. Hopkins, pastor, 



121. 



122. 



122f 



1223. 



1225, 



123. 



124. 
125. 



He died, 

Jerusha, wife of (120), from the 
same church. She died, 

Violet {Dickinson), wife of the Rev. 
Justus Forward, daughter of Mr. Josh- 
ua Dickinson, of Hatfield, from that 
church, Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, 
pastor. See notice of her in histori- 
cal sketch, page 55. She died, 

Mary, wife of Abner Sikes, from the 
church in Springfield, Rev. Mr. Breck, 
pastor. 

Martha, wife of Jonathan Lumbard, 
from the same church. 

Sarah, wife of Benjamin Carrier, 
from the church in Middletown, Rev. 
John Newton, pastor. 

Bethia (Stearns), wife of Salmon 
Kentfield, daughter of (53), born 1733. 
She died, 

Salmon Kentfield, was father of Eb- 
enezer, Salmon, Joel, Erastus, Josiah 
and Shubel Kentfield. Salmon the 
father, died July, 

Elisha Root, son of (44). He died, 

Mary (Coivles), wife of (124), sister 
of (56) and of (85). 



1789 



1772 



1834 



1807 

1787 
1817 

1822 



104 

Numbers. 

126. 



127. 
128. 



129. 



130. 



131. 



132. 



133. 



134. 



niSTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. 

From other Churches. 

Syhel (Sikes), wife of (418), from the 
4th church in Springfield, Rev. Mr. 
McKinstry, pastor. She died, 

Joseph Sikes, ) 

Eunice ( Smith) , wife of ( 1 2 7 ) , j 
Removed from iis. 

1770. 

Gideon Stehhins, son of (18), mar- 
ried Mary Hinsdale, of Deerfield, in 
1768 ; they had four sons. He died, 

See Appendix D. 

Mary {Hinsdale), wife of (129). 
She died, 

Eunice (Dwight), wife of Joseph 
Graves, she was daughter of (42). 
She died, 

Abigail [Thopping), wife of Moses 
Prentiss. 

From other Churches. 

Elijah Parker, on a certificate with- 
out mentioning the place, signed by 
Mr. Hinsdale, pastor, and again re- 
moved. 

Wife of Stephen Newton, from the 
church in Ellington. 



Deaths. Age. 



1831 



87 



1829 

1831 

1807 
1818 



1783 



89 



85 



66 



70 



68 



CONGHEGATIOXAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 105 
Numbers. Names. Deaths, Age 

1771. 



Elijah Hoice, brother of Col. Sam- 
uel Howe, and uncle to Dr. Estes 
Howe, who died in this town, March 

Elijah married for his first wife, 
Philothela Warner, sister of (41). She 
died, 

He again married Martha Parker in 
1773. See (170). 

Moses Coivles, son of John CoAvles, 
of Hatfield, brother of (56) and (85). 

Moses married Amy Parsons, in 
1770. She was the daughter of (38), 
and his wife (69), and sister of (223). 
She died, 

Moses Cowles' house was burned in 
October, 1 776, and three children burn- 
ed to death in it ; the eldest 5 years 
old. The father was abroad in the 
army, in the Revolutionary war. The 
mother was never well after this sor- 
rowful event ; she lingered till Janua- 
ry 22d, 1777 and died. The father 
moved away. 

Joseph Smith, Jr., son of (9), grand- 
son of ( 1 ), married Mary Clark, daugh- 
ter of (154) in 1776. He died, 

William Kentfield, son of Ebenezer, 
who died in the army, near Lake 
George, in the French war in 1756. 

Sarah, Avife of William Kentfield. 
William and Sarah were the parents of 



1826 
1771 



1777 



1786 



79 
28 



30 



37 



106 

Numbers. 



142. 

143. 
144. 

145. 



146. 
147. 
148. 

149. 
151. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Niimes. 

Rufus, Jonatlian, David, Heman and 
Asaph Kentfield. William, the father, 
died. 
His wife, Sarah, died 1790, aged 66. 

Asa Newton, son of Oliver and Re- 
bekah Newton. He died, 

Sijhel {Witt), his wife. 

Elijah Moody. He died, 
He left five sons, Elijah, Hezeldah, 
Silas, Ezra, and Benjamin. 

Sarah, his wife, left a widow, and 
again married in 1778, to Bildad 
Wright, of Northampton, and removed 
there. 

1772. 

David Towne. 

Kersiah, wi{e of (146). She died, 

Thaddeus Fairfield, son of Stephen 
Fairfield, (23). 

Kersiah ( Witt), his wife, 

1773. 

Martha ( Warner), wife of Sylvanus 
Howe. He was brother of Dr. Estes 
liowc, the first practising physician in 
this place, and died in 1826, aged 79. 
Was father of Judge Samuel Howe, 
and of William and Estes. 



Deatlig. Age. 



1791 



1783 
1773 
1773 



1790 

1833 
1813 



CONGREGATIOXAL CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 107 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age 



152. 
153. 



154. 



155. 
156. 



157. 



158. 



159. 

160. 
161. 



Names. 

From other Churches. 

Jedediah Ayres, ) 

Wifa of J. Ayres. ) 
They were from the church in Ware, 
residing here for a time and again re- 
moved. See (81). 

Col. Caleb Clark ; he was from 
Northampton. He was the father of 
Samuel, Phineas B., Joshua and Caleb, 
(and Eleazer Clark, Esq., who died 
1808.) The father died, 

Hannah, wife of (154). 

Ruth ( Wright), wdfe of Joseph 
Bridgman (200). She was from North- 
ampton. She died, 

See Appendix C. 

Wife of Wareham Warner, from the 
church in Northampton. 

Elizaheth (Davis), wife of Eliakim 
Phelps (36)," from the 4th church 
in Springfield. (She was a 2d wife, 
see (37). She died, 

1774. 

Jonathan Warner, son of Moses, 
(39), and brother of (180). He died, 

Wife of Jonathan Warner, Mary. 

Eleanor (Chajnn,) wife of Benja- 
min Morgan. 



1792 
1811 

1823 



1778 



1782 



1791 



69 

87 

81 



64 



31 



68 



108 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OP THE 



Numbers. Names. 

162. Syh el {Smith), wife of Dea. Joseph 
Bardwell, (233), daughter of Elijah 
Smith (11). She died in South Had- 
ley, at the residence of her son, Dea. 
Alonzo Bardwell, 

1775. 

Edward Smith, son of John Smith, 
and grandson of John, (1). John the 
father of Edward, was the eldest son 
of John, No. (1) ; he lived here sever- 
al years, and moved away. Edward 
was born here in 1747; was chosen 
Dea. in 1781, moved to Shelburne 
with his family about the year 1793. 

Bulah, wife of Edward Smith. 

Abigail Smith. 

William Phelps, son of (36), eldest 
brother of Dea. Eliakim (222). Will- 
iam died in Northampton about. 



Deaths. Age. 



1776. 



Abiah Smith. 



Catherine, wife of Reuben Barton. 
Reuben and Catherine Barton were 
the parents of William, Sarah, Josiah, 
Daniel, Lucy and Reuben. 

Fro7n other churches. 

Anna, 2d wife of Ebenczer Moody. 
She was from the 3d church in Spring- 
field. See (121). 



1829 



1786 



75 



33 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 109 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

1777. 



170. 
171. 
172. 
173. 

174. 

175. 

176. 



177. 

178. 
179. 



Martha {Parker), 2d wife of Elijah 
Howe. (See 135). 

Mary {Clark), wife of (139). She 
was the daughter of (154). She died, 

Josiah Warner, son of (41). He 
died, 

Eleanor {Sikes), wife of William 
Bliss, married February, 1775. He 
died 1782, aged 36. She died, 

David Shumway, (father of Eddy 
and Zebina,) married Rhoda Eddy, in 
1770. He died, 

Rhoda {Eddy), wife of (174). She 
died many years ago. 

From other Churches. 

Elizabeth, widow of Marson Eaton, 
from the church in Killingly, Connec- 
ticut, Rev. Mr. Russell, pastor. 

1778. 

Prudence, wife of Stephen Darling, 
removed. 

Jacob Willson, 

ilmy, wife of (178). 



11 



1842 

1782 

1814 
1818 



1793 



1789 
1807 



89 
28 

70 

75 



57 



68 
80 



110 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. 

1779. 

Seth Warner, son of (39), father of 

Titus Warner, who died in Amherst, 

April 12th, 1818, aged 50 ; leaving 

four sons, Alonzo, Park, Seth and 

Seth (180) died. 



Deaths- Age. 



George. 



Mary (Clark), wife of (180). 
was from NorthamjDton, 



She 



Capt. Elijah Bar dwell, son of (66) ; 
he married in 1777, Sarah W. Smith, 
daughter of (11). 

They removed from here to Goshen, 
about the year 1800, and died there. 

Reo. Horatio Bar dwell, is a son of 
Elijah and Sarah W. 

He was ordained a missionary to 
the heathen in India, in 1815, and 
that year sailed in* company with 
Messrs. Richards, Warren, Meigs and 
Poor, under the patronage of the 
American Board of Commissioners 
for Foreign Missions, for the Island 
of Ceylon. After remaining at Cey- 
lon a short time, by direction of the 
Board, he joined the mission at Bom- 
bay, where he labored as a missionary of 
the Board till 1821, when by repeat- 
ed attacks of disease, from a climate 
uncongenial to his constitution, his 
health was so impaired as made it ne- 
cessary for him to resign the work, and 
return to his native land. In 1823, 
having so far recovered his health, as 
to be able to resume his ministerial la- 
bors, he received a call to settle in 



1822 



1819 



83 



79 



CONGREGATIONAL CHXJECH IN BELCHERTOWN. Ill 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age 

Holden, (Mass.) ; where lie was install- 1 | 
ed in the work of the gospel ministry 
in October that year. In 1831, he re- 
ceived and accepted an appointment of 
general agent of the same Board. In 
1836, he was invited to settle again in 
the ministry in Oxford, Mass., where 
he now is in the discharge of ministe- 
rial duties to that people. 



190. 
191. 
192. 



Mary (Belknaj)), ^yidow Kentfield. 

Roxana Parker. 

Temperance Worthington. She mar- 
ried Adonijah Atherton, of Shelburne, 
in 1798, and removed to that place. 

Oliver Bridgman, son of (16.) He 
died. 

Church records say of him "a good 
man and respectable citizen." 

Irene Smith, daughter of Dea. Ed- 
ward Smith, (163). She died in Chel- 
sey, Vermont. 

1779. 

Experience Smith. She married John 
Strong, of Westhampton, in 1798, and 
removed there. 

Tahitha Parker. 

John Coivles, Jr., son of (85). 

Elizabeth {Smith), wife of (191), 
daughter of (11). She died. 



1781 



1816 



1832 



88 



77 



1830 



1827 



73 



66 



112 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Margaret, wife of Eliakim Phelps 
(222). She was from Warren ; came 
here from that church by letter. She 
died, 

1780. 

David Worthington, son of (91), ) 

AppTiia his wife. / 

Removed to Shelburne about 1787, 
and came back to this place and again 
united with this church in 1794, and 
moved again to Peru and died there in 
a few years. 

Martha (Forward), wife of Pliny 
Dwight ; she was daughter of Rev. Jus- 
tus Forward, and married P. Dwight, 
June, 1777. He was son to (42). He 
died in March, 

She died, (leaving one child, a 
daughter). That daughter, Nancy, mar- 
ried Rev. Asa McFarland, D. D., of 
Concord, New Hampshire, in June, 
1801. Dr. McFarland married Claris- 
sa Dwight, daughter of Justus Dwight, 
who was son of (42), in January 1799. 
She died in about one year from her 
marriage. Nancy was his 2d wife. 

Col. Henry Dwight, ) 

Ruth (Rich), his wife, ) 
Were from Western, (now Warren). 
Came here about 1775. They had 
six sons and two daughters. The 
sons were Henry, Simeon, Charles, 
Solomon, Thomas and Peregrine. Col. 
Dwight died. 

His wife Ruth died, 

See Appendix F. 



Deaths. Age. 



1846 



1783 
1782 



1819 
1837 



94 



30 
23 



68 
81 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN" BELCHERTOWN. 113 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

1781. 



Susanna (Dioight), wife of Dr. Estes 
Howe. She was daughter of (42). She 
died, 

Dr. Howe was the first practising 
physician that settled in the place. 
He remained here through life, died in 
1825, aged 79. 

Joseph Bridgman, son of (16), mar- 
ried Ruth Wright of Northampton, 
June, 1770. They had four sons and 
two daughters ; their sons were Wright 
(302), Joseph, see (440), Theodore 
(550), and Jonathan (411), Mary and 
Sarah. Joseph, (200), Church records 
say, " an eminent saint who has long 
been waiting for his departure ; ear- 
nestly desiring to depart and be with 
Christ." He died, 

See Appendix C. 

Hulda Warner, daughter of (41). 
She married Simeon Bardwell, son of 
Capt. Jonathan Bardwell and Violet 
his wife (68) in 1781. She died, 

Esther Warner, daughter of Ebene- 
zer Warner. She died, 

From other Churches. 

David Converse, ) 

Wife of D. Converse, ] 
From the church in Stafford, and re- 
moved from here. 
11* 



1785 



40 



1826 



1782 



1784 



80 



25 



23 



114 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 



Names. 



1782. 



Deaths. Af« . 



Submit Warner, daughter of Moses 
Warner ; she married Samuel Clark, 
son of (154), in 1783. Their sons, 
Samuel and Caleb, removed to Pelham. 

Barnahas Fay. He married Cloe 
Packard, of Pelham, in September, 
1783, and removed to Greenwich, 
South Parish, now Enfield. Their 
daughter Rhoda was baptized there by 
Rev, Mr. Forward, July, 13th, 1789, 
the day the church in Enfield was or- 
ganized. 

Eunice Hannum. She married 
Ephraim Banks, Jr., of Northampton, 
in 1783, and removed there. 

1783. 

Amasa Clough. 

Thriphena {Cowles), wife of (208). 

Throop Chapman. Throop Chapman 
and wife were the parents of Esther, 
Susanna, Jonathan W., Throop, 
Deborah, Sybel, and Isaac C. 

Deborah ( Wilson), wife of (210). 

Widow of Israel Cowles, Jr. 

Irene (Dickinson), wife of Joel 
Green ; she was from Granby. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 115 
Nuinberi. Names. Deaths. Age, 

From other Churches. 



Mercy, wife of John Thayer, from the 
church in Mendon. She died, 



Wife of Nathaniel Goodale, from 
the church in Woodstock. 



1784. 

Col. Elijah Dwight, son of (42). 
He was a deacon in this church, chosen 
in 1793 ; was an active and useful man 
in advancing the interests of the town 
and church, and a benefactor of both. 
He made great pecuniary sacrifices 
in the erection and completing the 
present meeting house, in 1791. He 
gave by deed, dated April 1st, 1791, 
three acres of land, comprising the 
ground on which the house stands, and 
the common in front of it, to the in- 
habitants of Belchertown, including 
the house, as a place of public wor- 
ship for the congregational church and 
society, so long as the same shall be 
used for that purpose, reserving the 
pews in said house that had been sold 
to individuals and the singers-seats 
belong to pew proprietors ; the seats 
not sold to individual proprietors, 
walls of the house and pulpit, belong 
to the society. The church records 
say of him, '* he was public spirited 
and a benefactor to the town." He 
died, September, 

Diana (Hinsdale), wife of Elijah 
Dwight; after the death of Col. 



1783 
1811 



64 



1795 



47 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



221 . 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

D wight, she married Dr. Estes Howe, 
in 1797. She died January, 



Solomon Haiinum, son of (33), broth- 
er of (757). 

Jerusha {Morgan), wife of Solomon 
Hannum. 

1785. 

Mary Hannum. She married Chester 
Bardwell, of Shelbiirne in 1789, and re- 
moved to that place. 



Reheckah ( Whitney)^ 
ben Coates, removed. 



wife of Reu- 



Maj. Josiali Lyman, son of (3). 
Tradition says, he Avas the first male 
child born in this place that lived to 
adult years ; he was baptized at North- 
ampton, March 24th, 1736, by Presi- 
dent Edwards. He lived here and 
raised a family; he removed to Go- 
shen, this county, several years before 
his death ; he died there, at a very ad- 
vanced age, about, 

See Appendix B. 

1785. 

Eliakim Phelps, son of (36), was 
deacon, chosen in 1803, and a promi- 
nent man in the place, a magistrate, 
and many years a representative in the 
general court from this town, and the 
church records say, " a pillar in the 
church." He died. 



1833 
1810 



1824 69 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 117 



Names. 

Eldad Parsons, son of (38), and 
(69), a magistrate, an active man. The 
church records say of him, " a soldier 
of the Revolution, a man of vigorous 
and active mind, of a warm tempera- 
ment, and an ardent friend of the gos- 
pel, and kingdom of Christ." He died, 

Experience {Bardicell), wife of (223). 
She was daughter of Martin Bardwell. 
and sister of (418.) She died, 

Mahel, wife of H. Bardwell. 
Samuel Davis. 

Jonas N. Belknap, son of (94). 
Esther (Parser), wife of (227). 

Amasa Smith, son of (9), was chosen 
deacon in this church, in 1795 ; mar- 
ried Sophia Lyman (231) in 1787; 
was Major in the militia, carried on the 
business of farming till 1802; then 
left town, turned his attention to 
study, in preparation for the gospel min- 
istry ; he was licensed to preach and 
settled in North Yarmouth, now state 
of Maine, in 1804; dismissed from 
there, and afterwards settled in Cum- 
berland, same state, where he spent the 
remnant of his days in usefulness, 
laboring in his calling for the good of 
his fellow men ; there he died, at an 
advanced age, in the year 

Aaron Lyman, son of (221), deacon, 
married Electa Graves, (243), daugh- 
ter of Joseph Graves, removed. 



Deaths. Age 



1823 



1800 



1823 



1847 



68 



40 



81 



91 



118 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Nairn's. 



Deaths. As'j. 



SopJiia Lyman, daughter of (221), 
married (229). 



Margaret (D wight), wiie of Thomas 
A. Gates. She was the daughter of 
Elihu Dwio'ht, who was the eldest son 



of (42). Elihu died 
23. Margaret died, 

1785. 



in 1760, aged 



Joseph Bardivell, Jr., son of (66), 
married Sybil Smith, in 1774 ; resided 
in Belchertown, till 1800; moved to 
Worthington, w^here he resided eight 
years, and then moved to Goshen, 
where he resided eight years, then to 
South Hadley, to reside with his sons, 
Josiah Bardwell, Esq. and Dea. Alon- 
zo Bardwell, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his days. He held the office 
of deacon in churches wdth which he 
was connected. His standard of re- 
ligious character was high ; his love 
of religious truth, and its fruits were 
seen most conspicuously in his life. 
He died at his son's, Dea. A. Bardwell, 
of South Hadley, 

Joseph Fisher, 

Phineas Warner, son of (41), 

See Appendix H. 

Submit Lewis, married (234) in 1785. 
She was a second wife, and died, 

237. Cloe Shumway, daughter of Asa and 



1841 



1838 



1829 



1849 



1829 



83 



88 



76 



86 



55 



CONGHEGATIOXAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. 

Eunice Shumway. She married Samuel 
Cowles of Hatfield, in 1790 ; removed 
to Hatfield, left a widow, and returned 
here and died, 



119 

Age 



238. 
239. 



240. 
241. 



242. 



243. 
244. 

245. 

246. 

247. 



Daniel Smith, Jr., son of (7), 

Katherine {Bardwell), wife of (238), 
daughter of Martin Bardwell, and sis- 
ter of (224) ; removed after the death 
of her husband. 

Stephen Warner, son of (41), 

Amasa Towne, son of Israel and Na- 
omi Towne, (104). See that No. He 
died, 

See Appendix E. 

Margaret (S?nith), wife of (241), 
daughter of No. (9), and sister of (229), 
(248), and (279). She died, 

See Appendix A. and E. 

Hezekiah Walker, son of (99), 

Thomas Chapin, grand-son of (48), 
son of Thomas Chapin, Jr. 

Pliny Sikes, son of Abner Sikes, 
of Ludlow, removed by letter to 
Westhamptoh, where he lived to an ad- 
vanced age. 

Noah Sexton, from "West Spring- 
field, was brother of (318). 

Jacob Smith, son of (11), removed 



1826 
1817 



1798 



1820 



1821 



1845 



120 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. 

to Hadley, in 1788, where he now 
lives ; has sustained the office of deacon 
in the church there for many years ; 
brother to the Rev. Ethan Smith, well 
known as the writer on the Prophecies 
and on the Revelations. 

1785. 

John Smith, son of (9), graduated 
at Dartmouth College, in 1794, stud- 
ied Theology, and was settled in the 
ministry in Salem, New Hampshire, 
January 4th, 1797, continued there in 
the ministry till November, 21st, 1816, 
when he was dismissed ; he was again 
installed in the ministry in Wenham, 
Massachusetts, in 1817, and in 1819, 
he received the appointment of Profes- 
sor of Sacred Literature and Theology 
in the Divinity School at Bangor, 
Maine, which office he accepted, and 
where he remained in the faithful dis- 
charge of his duties till his death. He 
possessed good powers of mind, was 
dilligent in his calling, successful in 
his ministerial labors. His Alma- 
Mater conferred on him the degree of 
D. D. several years before his death. 
He attained a distinction in classical 
and Theological Science, and for years 
held a prominent standing among the 
Divines of New England. He died 
April 14th, 

Giles Lyman, son of (221), removed 
to Goshen, in 1803; he married his 
wife from Middletown ; she removed 
her church relation here in 1798, and 



Deaths. Age. 



1831 



65 



CONGRBGATIONAL CHUECH IN BEI,CHEIlTOWN* 121- 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

removed to Goshen in 1803, with his 
father Josiah Lyman. 



250. 



251. 



252. 



253. 



254. 



255. 



256. 



257. 



258. 



Oliver Parsons, son of (69), broth- 
er of (223), removed to Granby, and 
died there, (killed by blowing rocks 
in a well), about the year, 

Phehe Smith, daughter of (9), mar- 
ried Israel Russell, of Sunderland, in 
1788, and removed there. 

Asenath Root, daughter of (105), 
married William Towne, in 1788, and 
removed to Granville, New Nork. 

Electa Graves, daughter of Joseph 
and Eunice Graves, married (230), in 
1788. 

Amy Sexton, daughter of Noah Sex- 
ton, of West Springfield, and sister of 
(318), married (260), in 1787. 

1786. 

Rujus Kentjield, the son of (140) 
and (141), married Mary Belknap, 
November, 1773. He died, 

James Walker, Jr., son of (99), 
was chosen deacon 1804. 

Deborah (Sikes), wife of James 
Walker, Jr., (Deacon). 

Capt. Jonathan Towne, son of Israel 
and Naomi Towne, (104) ; he married 
for his first wife Mary Holbrook, in 
12 



1804 



1787 



1839 



36 



87 



78 



122 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. Death 

1795 ; she died in 1796 ; he then mar- 
ried in 1801, Miriam Warner, daugh- 
ter of (41). He died, 1824 

Perez Graves, son of Joseph and 
Eunice Graves, (131), and brother of 
(459), removed to the church in Orono, 
Maine, in 1826. 

Enos Smith, son of (9), born 1761, 
married (264), in 1787, and removed. 



Jonathan Lyman, son of (221), born 
1767, married for his first wife, Electa 
Bard well, daughter of (223) ; she died 
in Goshen, where he resided, March, 
1824, aged 47. He then married Ly- 
dia Towne, daughter of (241). He 
was deacon of the church in Goshen. 
He removed to Granby, where he died 
September, 27th, 1846. 



Benjamin Stehhins, 2d, removed. 

Sarah (Scott), wife of Capt. Elisha 
Warner, (722). 

Ahel Clough. 

Hannah Melvin, married John Al- 
len McElwain, of Palmer, in 1793, 
and removed there. 

Lydia Sexto7i, daughter of Noah 
Sexton of West Springfield, sister of 
(318). She died, 

Susanna Graven, daughter of Joseph 
and Eunice Graves, (131); she married 



1846 



1812 



1784 



Age 



66 



79 



62 



19 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 123 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

Nathan Parsons, Jr., in the year 1787, 
and removed to Bangor, Maine. Na- 
than, Jr., was son of (38). 

Cloe Makulan. 

Tahitha Sikes. 

Oliver Wright. He married for his 
first wife, Lydia Cowles, daughter of 
(56), in 1779. She died in 1790, 
aged 34. He then married Elizabeth 
Brown, in 1792, and removed. He 
was uncle to Jonathan Wright, (his 
father's brother), No. (4463). 



1786. 

Lydia (Coioles), wife of (270). 

Josiah Coivles, son of (56), born 
1761. He died, 

Clarissa D wight, daughter of Jus- 
tus D wight, grand- daughter of (42). 
She married Rev. Asa McFarland, D. 
D., of Concord, New Hampshire, in 
1799, and died. 

He again married Nancy Dwight, a 
daughter of Pliny Dwight, and 
grand-daughter of (42). See (196), 
explanation. 

Joseph Reed. 

Sarah {Morgan), wife of Benjamin 
Billings, daughter of (52) ; her hus- 
band died in 1826, aged 85. She died 



1790 
1822 



1800 



34 
61 



30 



1818 



1839 



68 



88 



124 



HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths Age. 

Molly Root, daughter of (105) ; she 
married (436), in 1816, 2d wife; see 
(439). Shediedi 1835 69 

Phehe (Baggs), daughter of Noble 
Bagg:s; she married (757), in 1789. 



1787. 
First wife of Joseph Reed, 
1789. 

EU Smith, son of (9), brother of 
(229) and (248). 

He pursued a course of classical 
study, entered Brown University in 
1788; graduated in 1792; studied 
Theology and settled in the ministry, 
in Hollis, New Hampshire, November 
27th, 1793, continued there in the dil- 
ligent and useful discharge of his min- 
isterial duties, till June, 1830, when 
he was dismissed. He remained in 
that place till his death. 

Susanna, wife of James Smith, and 
himself a communicant. Church re- 
cords say of him, a " venerable saint." 
He died, 

From other Churches. 

Second wife of Stephen Newton, 
from the church in East Bridgwater ; 
she was widow Lydia Gary, recommen- 
ded to this church by letter from Rev- 
erends John and Samuel Angin, dated 
1784.. These were colleague pastorSj 



1802 



1848 



1831 

1828 



46 



90 



64 
84 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 125 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

father and son. Mr. Newton's first 
wife, Mary, died in 1783, aged 68. 

1789. 

From other Churches. 

Robert Emmons, from the church in 
Amherst, by letter, he resided in 
Granby ; came to this town, in 1784, 
and here remained till his death, left 1790 55 
one son Eli, a graduate of Dartmouth 
College, in 1795, physician, (became 
deranged) and died in Amherst about 
1828. 

Timothy Rice, father of Horatio 
Rice. 

Elizabeth (Howe), wife of (286). 

They came from church in Western, 
(now Warren), by letter. (She was 
sister to Dr. Estes Howe). He died, 1813 78 

Widow Amy Sexton, from the church 
in Springfield. She married (99), in 
1787 ; her letter from that church da- 
ted before marriage, not presented till 
after. She was mother to (318). She 
died January 9th, 1835 94 

1790. 

Jonathan Smith, born 1742. He 
died, 1824 82 

289. PheU (Squier), wife of (288). 1797 25 

I I 

12* 



126 
NwDbem 

290. 



HISTOBIQAt SKEtCHES OE THE 
Names. 

1792. 

David Kent field, son of William and 
Sarah Kentfield, (141) ajid (142). 

Mary (Smith), wife of (290), daugh- 
ter of (167). The children of David 
and Mary, were Jonathan, William, 
Rebekah, Samuel, Rhoda, Eufus, Tri- 
phenee, Triphosa, and Smith. She died 

1793. 

Mark Stacy, son of Capt. Isaac 
Stacy, who came to this place, from 
Sturbridge, in 1773. Mark married 
Julia Root, daughter of (105), in 1788. 

Julia (Root), wife of Mark Stacy. 
They had three sons, Ira, (475), Arba, 
(530), Alanson, (909), and three 
daughters, Hannah, (541), married 
(878),Dimmis, (629) and Julia (630). 
Mrs. Mark Stacy died, 

Ahner Hunt. 

Bimmis (Root), his wife, daughter 
of (105). They were married in 1797, 
their sons were John, and William W. 
(465) ; the latter was a graduate of 
Williams College, in 1820, studied 
Theology and settled in the ministry, 
in North Amherst, in 1827 ; continu- 
ing in the ministerial office there till 
his death. 

Abner Hunt and wife removed their 
church relation, to the church in Wil- 
liamsburg, in 1833. He died, 



Deaths Age. 



1802 



1850 



1837 
1847 



44 



41 

79 



C05fGREGATI0]SrAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWIT.. 127 



Numbers. 
298. 



297. 
298. 

299. 



300. 



301. 



302, 



&03. 



S04. 



SOS. 



Names, 

Freeman Burr. 

From other Churches. 

Joseph ColehurTif \ 
Elizabeth^ his wife, f removed. 

William Bickwall, from the church 
in Ashford, Connecticut. 

Anna, wife of (298), from the same. 

They were recommended by this 
church to the church in "Westford, 
Massachusetts, in 1808, and removed 
there. 

Hannah, wife of Elihu Sanford, from 
the church in Medway. She died, 

1794. 

Wright Bridgman, son of (200). 
He died, 

Haddassah Bardwell, daughter of 
(233) ; she married Spencer Clark, 
removed to Huntington, Ohio, and 
died there, February 19th, 1843, aged 
69, 

Electa Bar dwell, daughter of (233); 
she married. Dea. Jonathan Lyman, 
(261) which see. She died, 

Susanna ( Willard), wife of Jonas 
Holland, from the church in Peters- 
ham. She died at Amherst. Her 
husband had been a prominent man in 



Deaths, Age. 



1769 



1839 



1843 



1824 



31 



67 



69 



47 



128 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age 

town business here for many years. 
HediedJuly, 1837 

1795. 

From other Churches. 

Samuel Worthington, ) 
Elizabeth, his wife, } 
From the church in Shelburne, they 
were formerly here, came from Colches- 
ter, see (91) and (92), removed to Shel- 
bui-ne about the year 1787, and came 
back in 1795. Samuel Worthington 
was brother to widow Amy Sexton 
(287J). 

1796. 

Polly y wife of Benjamin Haynes. 

From other Churches. 

William Worthington, ) 

Wife of Wm. Worthington, i 
From the church in Colchester, to 
this church, and recommended from 
this church to Bolton, Connecticut. 

1796. 

From other Churches. 

Israel Trash, to this Church from 
Brimfield, and then from this church 
back there. 

Capt. Phineas Strong, from the 
Church in Hebron, Connecticut. He 
died, 1827 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 129 



Numberft. Names. 

Anna (Filer), wife of (314). She 
died, 

1797. 

Bulah Smithy daughter of (163), re- 
moved. 

1798. 

Silas Walker, son of (99), married 
Dimmis Sexton, in 1792. Their chil- 
dren are five sons and four daughters. 
Sons Horace, Tertius, Samuel, Charles, 
and Lyman. Charles was a graduate 
of Yale College, in 1823; studied 
physic and settled in Northampton ; 
Horace (474), Tertius (477), Charles 
(624), Lyman (954). They had four 
daughters. Amy (490), married John 
Marshall (585), Lucy (639), Almira 
(991), married Salem Towne, Philura 
C. (1059), married (1034), in 1840. 

Dimmis {Sexton), wife of Silas 
Walker, daughter of Noah Sexton, of 
West Springfield. 

From other Churches^ 

Mary, the wife of Giles Lyman, 
from the first church in Middletown. ^ 

Maj. John Gilbert, from the church 
in Hebron, Connecticut. He was fa- 
ther of (558). He died, 

A7neUa, his wife, received January, 
7th, 1799. She died 



Deaths Age. 



1815 



56 



1817 



1825 



68 



74 



130 

Numbers. 

819 J. 

320. 
321. 



322. 
323. 



324. 
325. 



326. 



327. 



HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF TPIE 

Names. Deaths. Age 

Deho7^ah, wife of Samuel Ingalls, 
from the church in Abbington. 

Ahigail, wife of Joseph Tucker, from 
Walpole ; letter by Rev. Mr. Morey. 

1800. 

Rhoda (Root), wife of (635), daugh- 
ter of (105). 

Nancy Dwight, daughter of Pliny 
Dwight and grand- daughter of (42), 
married Dr. McFarland, of Concord, 
in 1801, and removed. See (196). 

From other Churches. 

Daniel Porter, ) They came from 
Wife of (322), ) the church in He- 
bron, Rev. Mr. Bassett. 

1801. 

Jemima, wife of Oliver Bridgman. 1825 70 

Lydia {Merrick), wife of (731), she 
was from Wilbraham, daughter of 
Noah Merrick, and grand-daughter of 
Rev. Noah Merrick, the first minister 
of Wilbraham. 

Lucretia (Warner), wife of (550), 1814 40 
she was the daughter of Jonathan 
Warner, and grand -daughter of (39). 
She died, 

Celena Worthington, daughter of 
William Worthington. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 131 
ers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

Temperance Worthington, daughter 
of David Worthington, removed to 
Norwich. 

EH Wood^ from Ludlow, married 
Hannah Cowles, daughter of (191), 



Hannah {Cowles) wife of (329). 
She died, 

Thankful (Morse), wife of (410), she 
was daughter of Asa Morse. She 
died, S-^^y i^, 

Jemima, wife of Abner Cowles, he 
was brother of (191), her husband died 
May, 1837, aged 76. She died, 

Elizaheth Morse, daughter of Asa 
Morse, and sister of (331); she mar- 
ried Lemuel Paine, in 1806. 

From other Churches. 

William Holland., physician, from 
the church in Chester, Rev. Aaron 
Bascom, pastor. See (442). 

Clarissa (MoseUy), from Westfield, 
(daughter of Col. John Moseley), wife 
of Dr. William Holland. She died, 

Col. Moseley died, about the year 
1788, at Westfield. 

Susanna, wife of Robert Ames, 
from the church in Jaffery, N. H. 



1813 



1846 



1821 



1808 



1809 



33 



69 



51 



37 



67 



132 HISTOBlCAir SKETCHES. OF THE 

Numhera. Names. Deatha. Age. 



1802. 

Miriam ( Warner), second wife of 
(258), daughter of (41), married in 
1801, left a widow in 1824. She again 
married in 1826 to James Whitcomb, 
of Williamsburgh, and removed there. 

Abigail {Pomeroy), wife of (459), 
she was from Granville ; she with her 
husband removed from here to Man- 
chester, near the Falls of Niagara, 
New York, in 1828. 

Sally Bridgman, daughter of (200). 

Ahner Phelps, son of (222), He 
was a graduate of "Williams College, 
in 1806, studied theology — was licen- 
sed to preach ; then turned his course 
of study to medicine, and in 1815, 
commenced the practice in Boston, 
where he has since resided. In 1814, 
he received the degree of M. D., from 
Brown University, and from Yale Col- 
lege. 

Joshua CowleSf son of (86), He 
died, March, 

Elizabeth {Rice), wife of (341). 
She was daughter of (286). She died, 

Anna Rice, daughter of (286), mar- 
ried Chester Allen, in 1805, and re- 
moved to a church in Springfield, in 
1829. 



1829 



75 



1842 



1844 



66 



66 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN EELCHERTOWN. 135^ 



Numbers. 

344, 



345. 



346. 



347. 

348. 
349. 
350. 

351. 

352. 
353. 



Names. 

Elijah NicJiolSy son of Mitchel 
Nichols, and Lydia his wife of Brook- 
field, Lydia died in this town in 1811, 
aged 75 ; her son Elijah died, 

Mary Giddings, wife of (344), 
daughter of James Giddings of South 
Hadley ; James Giddings, married 
Hannah Fairfield, daughter of (23), 
in 1766. Mary died, 

Zerviah Rice, daughter of (286). 
She married (384), in 1803. They 
removed to Chicopee, in 1835. She 
died May, 

1802. 

Sarah Worthington, removed to a 
church in North Bolton, 1803. 

Nathan Barnaiy, removed in 1834. 

Anna, wife of (348). She died, 

Elizabeth, second wife of (288). 
See 289. 

1803. 

Remembrance Root, son of (124), 
married Truelove Fisher, daughter of 
(234). He died while on a journey in 
Ohio, June, 

Truelove {Fisher), wife of (351), 
daughter of (234). 

Abner Towne, son of Israel and 
Naomi Towne, No. (104). He re- 
moved his church relation to Granby 
13 



Deaths. Age. 



1848 



1846 



1845 



1829 



1836 



81 



77 



70 



63 



65 



134 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. 

church, in 1823, continuing his resi- 
dence in this town and remained so 
till death. 

Kersiah {Fairfield), wife of (353), 
daughter of (148), removed her church 
relation to Granby, with her husband 
in 1823 ; after his death, she removed 
her church relation back to this church 
in 1829. 

Wife of Benjamin Morgan ; her hus- 
band was son of (52). 

Mary ( Wilkinson), wife of Aaron 
Rhoades ; she was a native of Sharon, 
Massachusetts. He was a native of 
Walpole, Massachusetts ; they came 
to this town in 1789. He died in 1843, 
aged 79. He was son of Stephen 
Rhoades, formerly of Walpole. 



Deaths. Age. 



Elizabeth (Fisher), second wife of 
Elihu Sanford, daughter of (234), re- 
moved to a church in Albany, in 1827, 
and changed their residence. Her 
husband died in 1839, aged 79. 

Fro?n other Churches. 

Solomon Towne, from the church in 
Greenwich, Rev. Joseph Blodget, pas- 
tor. 

1804. 

Joseph Angier, church records say, 
"A good man." 

Fanny, wife of (359), removed. 



1828 



60 



1849 



68 



1816 



48 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 



Numbers. 

361. 



362. 



363. 



364. 



365. 
366. 



367. 



368. 
369. 
370. 

371. 



Names. 

Darius Root, son of (124), brother 
of (351), died in Ludlow. 

Dorcas (Sikes), wife of (361), they 
removed to Ludlow. 

Dehorah Phelps, daughter of (34). 
She died, 

Wife of Joseph Reid, 2d wife. See 

(278). 

From other Churches. 



Deaths. 



135 

Age 



Samuel Chapman, > From the 

Wife of S. Chapman. / church in 
Bolton, Rev. E. Kellogg, pastor, re- 
moved. 

Nancy, second wife of William 
Bickwell, from the church in Ashford, 
to this church ; and again recommend- 
ed by this church to that in Westford, 
in 1808, and removed. 

1805. 

Nahhy, wife of Jedediah Green. 

Jonathan Randall. 

Rhoda {Shujmvay), wife of Jonathan 
Randall, daughter of (174). 

Nancy (Howe), wife of Ichabod 
Sanford, she was daughter of Dr. 
Estes Howe, see (199), the mother of 
Rev. William H. Sanford, of Boylston. 
She died. 



1816 



1828 



73 



60 



1840 



65 



136 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Numbers. Names. 

From other Churches. 

John M. Pearl, from the diurch in 
Bolton, Connecticut, Rev. E. Kellogg, 
pastor. 

Wife of (372), from Bolton, 



John Marshall. Cliiircli records say, 
" A man of much good sense which 
was rendered exceedingly valuable to 
the world, and consecrated to the best 
use by faith, hope, and prayer, a warm 
active christian, greatly lamented. He 
died, 

Betsey, wife of (374). Church re- 
cords say, " She was distinguished for 
good sense, kind, affectionate, amiable 
manners, and heavenly-mindedness. 
She died November, 

They were from the church in Bol- 
ton, Connecticut. 

Susan Dwight, daughter of Col. 
Elijah Dwight (215). In 1812, she 
married Mason Shaw, Esq. and re- 
moved to Castine, Maine. In 1821, 
they removed to this place. 

Cynthia, wife of Dudley Phelps, he 
died in 1820, aged 48. She married 
(223), in 1821, her second husband 
died in 1823, and she removed to 
Groton. 

Enos Lincoln. 



Deaths. Age. 



1815 



1816 



52 



51 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHmCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 137 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Ruth {Shumway), wife of (378), 
daughter of (730). She died, 



Hannah (Barber), wife of Gurdon 
Filer. She died. 

Her husband Gurdon Filer, died in 
this town in 1840, aged 79. He was 
son of Samuel Filer, who died in 
Granby, in 1798, aged 68 ; his wife 
and widow died in this town January, 
1827, aged 89. He was son of Sam- 
uel Filer, who was born in Hebron, 
Connecticut, in the year 1700. This 
Samuel born in 1700, was son of Sam- 
uel Filer, who died in Windsor in 1 71 0, 
and was the son of Zerubabell Filer, 
who was born in Windsor in 1644. 
He was son of Walter Filer, who set- 
tled in AVindsor in 1636, came from 
Dorchester England, with Pvcv. Mr. 
Wareham and Henry Wolcott ; Walter 
was a Deputy to the General Court, 
in 1647 ; he died in Windsor, in 1683. 
Samuel Filer, who died in Granby, in 
1799, was father of Gurdon Filer, and 
John Filer, and a daughter Anna, who 
married (314), which see. Gur- 
don Filer was father of George 
Filer, now a merchant in this place. 
John his brother was father of Hum- 
phrey T. Filer, now extensively enga- 
ged in the carriage business in this 
place. John his father died here 1850, 
aged 81 ; leaving two sons, Humphrey 
T. and Samuel. 

Gurdon Filer and John Filer had a 
brother by the name of Samuel. He 
died in the Revolutionary war in the 
year 1779, aged 25. 
13^* 



1851 



1841 



138 HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

1806. 

From other Churches. 

Harris Hatch, ) They were from 
Deborah, his wife. ) the church in 
Pelham, to this place, Rev. Mr. Brain- 
ard, pastor, and recommended by this 
church to that in Chesterfield, in 1812, 
and removed there. 

Grace ( Warriner), first wife of (724). 
From the north church in Wilbraham, 
Rev. E. Witter, pastor. The church 
records say of her, " A most valuable 
woman." She died, 1821 39 

Ahier Blodget, from the church in 
Palmer, Rev. Mr. Baldwin, pastor, re- 
moved. See (346). 

Sally, wife of Samuel Smith, from 
the church in south parish, Greenwich, 
(now Enfield), Rev. Mr. Crosby, pas- 
tor. 

Leavett Hewins, ) From the 
Wife of L. Hewins. } church in 
Sharon, and again removed. 

1807. 

Betsey, wife of Robert Dunbar, her 
husband died in 1807, aged 62, he was 
the father of (801). In 1809, she 
married Rev. John Emerson, of Con- 
way and removed there. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. 

Eunice Forward, daughter of Rev. 
889. Justus Forward ; she married (340), 
in 1808 ; she was the fifth daughter of 
Rev. Mr. Forward, that died of con- 
sumption. Died 1809 



390. 



391, 



892. 



393. 



394. 

395. 

396. 

397. 
398. 



Sarah, wife of Timothy Chase. 

From other Churches. 

Abigail (Willard), wife of (408), 
from the church in Petersham. 

Joshua Clark, son of (154), from 
the church in Granby, Rev. Elijah 
Gridley, pastor ; he resided in Granby, 
and again became connected with that 
church. 

Olive, wife of Reuben Prentice, 
from the church in Somers, Rev. Wm. 
L. Strong, pastor, and returned to that 
church by certificate in 1812. 

1808. 

Susanna Rice, daughter of (287), 
she married Edward Frink, of Ashford, 
in 1813 and removed. She died, 

Luther Holland, he died in the State 
of New York. 

Charissa, wife of (395). She died, 
He again married (416). 

Amasa Fairfield, son of (148). 

Lydia, {Whitney), wife (397). 



1822 

1851 
1817 



139 

Ag«. 



29 



42 

74 
39 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths. 

Samuel Gilbert, son to Maj. John 
Gilbert, removed with his wife (401), 
to the church in Medway, in 1827. 

Lucretia Towne, daughter of (241), 
she married John Witt, Jr., of Gran- 
by, in 1812, removed her church re- 
lation there in 1826. 

Polly Hatch, daughter, of (381), 
married (399), in 1810), and removed 
with her husband to Medway. 



Age. 



Elizaheth {Pearl), wife of Eli Mil- 
lard, sister of (372). She died. 

From other Churches. 

Clarissa, wife of Erasmus Shum- 
way, from the church in Greenwich, 
Rev. Mr. Blodget, pastor, and again 
returned there with her husband. He 
died there. Erasmus was son of (730). 

Olive Hyde, widow of John Hyde, 
from the church in Sturbridge. Rev. 
Otis Lane, pastor. Her husband died 
April 1808, aged 58. 



Benjamin Kilhourn, ) 



From the 
Elizaheth, his wife, ) church in 
Bolton, Rev. E. Kellogg, pastor. 
Benjamin died. 



Lucindia {Fairfield), wife of Pliny 
Witt. She was from the church in 
Plainfield, Rev. Mr. Hallock, pastor. 
Pliny Witt, was son of (747). 



1824 



1817 



43 



87 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 141 
Numbers. Names, Deaths. Age. 

1809. 

Ebenezer Bridgman, son of (187). 

Elihu Smead, adopted son of (238). 

Nathaniel Walker, son of (99), 
which see. 

Jonathan Bridgman, son of (200), 
removed by letter to south church in 
Amherst, at its formation in 1824; 
letter certifying to the council his 
standing in this church, had resided in 
the south part of Amherst many years. 1851 70 



Aaron Walker, son 
moved to Ware. 



of (243), re- 



Esther Clark, daughter of (154), 
married Isaiah Wing, of Conway, in 
1809, and removed there. 



Jane Clark, daughter of Samuel 
Clark, and grand-daughter of (154) ; 
she married Abijah Harding, in 1819, 
and moved to Illinois. 

Siibmit Clark, daughter of Samuel 
Clark, and grand-daughter of (154), 
married (412), in 1812, and removed- 
Merc?/ Smith, daughter of (139), 
married (395), in 1818. 

Polly (Steward), wife of Martin 
Bardwell, Jr. He was son to Martin 
(418),' who died in this town, in 1824, 
aged 84. He was son to Martin, who 



142 

Numbers. 



418. 
419. 

420. 

421. 

422. 

423. 

424. 
425. 

426. 
427. 



1809 
1824 



33 

84 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. Age. 

was son to John Bardwell. See Ap- 
pendix I. Martin, the husband of Pol- 
ly (417), died in 1814, aged 43.r,Polly 
was daughter of Rev. Antipas Steward, 
who was the first congregational min- 
ister settled in Ludlow, settled there 
in 1793, dismissed 1803, died in this 
town January, 1814, aged 81. Polly 
was admitted to the church June 11th, 
1809, at her residence, she being dan- 
gerously sick. 

Martin Bardwell, see (417). 

AVidow Sarah Graves, widow of 
John, who was son of (62). 

Sally (Rich), wife of (235) sister of 
(198). 

Martlia{Rice), -wife of (6S6). She 
was from Shrewsbury. She died, 

Judith Hatch, daughter of (381), 
married (409), in 1812, and removed. 

Elizabeth {Steward), wife of Alfred 
Shumway, removed to the church in 
North Adams, in 1833. 



Eliza Dodge, 

Samuel Lemon, son of James Lemon 
of Ware. 

Jane, wife of (425). 

Jason Walker, son of (99). He 
died July 6th, in the 84th year of his 



1831 



1840 



1831 
1813 

1851 



62 



62 



82 
56 

83 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 143 



Numbers. 

428. 



429. 



Names. 



Deaths. Age. 



430. 

431. 

432. 
433. 
434. 

435. 

436. 
437. 
438. 



Elizabeth (Mcintosh), wife (427). 
She died, 

Elizabeth Buxton, rasi-riied (530), in 
1811, and moved with her husband to 
the church in Granby, 1832. She was 
the daughter of William Buxton who 
came to this town from Union, Con- 
necticut, with a family in 1794. 

1810. 

Samuel Hinsdale Stebbins, son of 
(129). 

Benjamin Howe, son of Benjamin 
Howe, and Margaret his wife. 

Enos Chase. 

Samuel Shumway, son of (174). 

Capt. James Whitman, son of John 
Whitman, of Bridgwater, came to this 
town in 1797, from Bridgwater. 

Kata {Smith), his wife, she was 
daughter of Samuel and Susan Smith 
(280). She died, 

Amasa Cowles, son of (56). He 
died 

Lydia {Mahurin), his wife, (the 1st 
wife). See (276). She died, 

Orlando Root, son of (105). He 
died. 



1849 



1844 



73 



50 



1845 
1842 
1813 
1823 



74 



73 



44 



46 



144 



HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Elizabeth {Ramsdell,) wife of (438). 
She was the daughter of Joseph Rams- 
dell. 

Ruth (Hawkes), wife of Joseph Bridg- 
man, Esq. She was from Charlemont, 
sister of Rev. Roswell Hawkes, who 
was settled minister in Cummington, for 
several years. Her husband, Joseph 
was son of (200), he died in 1836, 
aged 63 ; he was a graduate of Dart- 
mouth College 1795, was a prominent 
man in the town, a magistrate, lawyer 
by profession, representative to the 
general court, and justly possessed the 
confidence of the community. She 
died, 

PoUy (Bardwell), wife of (481). 
She was the daughter of (418). 

Bethsina [Fowler), second wife of 
Wm. Holland, physician (334). She 
was the daughter of Medad Fowler, for- 
merly of Westfield ; she came to this 
church from the church in Blandford, 
Rev. John Keep, pastor. In 1813, she 
with her husband removed to Westfield, 
and returned to this church and place 
in 1819, and in 1832, removed to Can- 
andagia, New York. 

1811. 

Lydia Dwight, the daughter of Sam- 
uel 1) wight. 

Henrietta Warner, daughter of (235), 
married (720), in 1821, second wife. 
She died, 



Deaths. Age. 



1850 



72 



1831 



38 



CONGKEGATIOXAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 
Nuoibers. Names. Deaths. 



145 

Age. 



445. 
446. 

446J. 
446|. 

447. 



448. 
449. 

450. 
451. 



From other Churches. 

Mary, ^Yife of William Buxton, 
from the church in Sturbridge. 

Lucy, wife of Asa Woods, from the 
church in New-Braintree, Rev. John 
risk, pastor. 

1812. 

Hannah, wife of Paul Pettingill. 

Jonathan Wright, son of Cyprian 
Wright, formerly of Ludlow ; who mar- 
ried Lucy Sikes of Ludlow, in October, 
1784. 

Sally (Dwight), wife of Moses Kil- 

bourn. She was the daughter of Sam'l 

I Dwight ; was drowned in Swift River, 

the horse she rode with took fright and 

ran into the pond at Swift river mills. 

From other Churches. 

Azariah Willis., from the church in 
Brookficld. 

Malissant, wife of (448), from the 
church in New-Braintree. She died 
about, 

Hannah, first wife of (720). From 
the church in Poultney, Vermont. 
She died, 

1813. 

Thomas Brown. 
14 



1827 

1822 

1815 

1820 
1813 



41 

67 

55 

36 
43 



146 

Mambers, 



HISTOEICAIi SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths. Af 

452. Mary, wife of (451). 



Herman Haires, son of John Hawes, 
and brother of (468). He died, 

MaUtihel (Peeso), first wife of (453 
She was the daughter of John Peeso. 

Jonathan Dwight, son of Justus 
Dwight and grandson of (42). He 
died in Amsterdam, N. Y. 

Amy (Parsons), wife of Jonathan 
Dwight; she was the daughter of 
(223), After the death of her hus- 
band she removed her church relation 
and went from here. 

William Bridgman, Physician, son 
of (187). He removed to Spring- 
field in 1835. 

Marilla [Parsons), wife of (457). 
She was the daughter of (223). She 
died 

Josiali Dwight Graves, son of Jo- 
seph and Eunice Graves, (131) ; re- 
moved to the Church at Manchester, 
near the falls of Niagara, State of New 
York, in 1828. 



459i. Joseph Graves, son of Joseph and 
Eunice (131) and brother of (459), 
and removed with him. 



1841 
1835 

1834 



58 



39 



64 



1850 



460. 



Henry A. Bridgman, son of (550). 
Deacon; chosen 1828. 



63 



COXGREGATIOXAL CHUKCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 147 



Names. 

Elijah Coleman Bridgjnan, son of 
(550) ; a graduate of Amherst College 
in 1826. Studied Theology ; licensed 
to preach ; became a Foreign Mission- 
ary ; was ordained in this town, Octo- 
ber 6, 1829, and sent out under the 
direction of the Board of Commission- 
ers for Foreign Missions, to China. 
He sailed from New York the 10th of 
October, and arrived in Canton, China, 
in February 1830. His labors have 
been constant and successful. By per- 
severing industry he has become one 
of the best scholars in the Chinese lan- 
guage, of the age. The honorary de- 
gree of D. D. has been conferred on 
him by an American College, Much 
of his labor for years has been direct- 
ed to the translation of the Bible into 
the Chinese Language. He has done 
much in giving to the many millions 
of China, the sacred volume in their 
own tongue, and is still engaged, un- 
remittingly, in that great christian 
enterprise, 

Daniel Phelps, chosen Deacon, 
1816; son of (222). 

William Phelps, chosen Deacon, 
1838; son of (222). 

Samuel Strong, son of (314.) 

William W. Hunt, son of (294) and 
(295). Pie was a graduate of Wil- 
liams College in 1820, and settled in 
the ministry in North Amherst, Re- 
moved his church relation from here to 



Deaths, Ag«. 



148 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbera. Names. 

the Churcli connected with the Ando- 
ver Seminary, in 1823, Was the first 
settl3d minister in North Amherst, 

Abia Hannuin, daughter of Solomon 
and Jerusha Hanniim, born 1786, Died 

Learned Scott. 

John Hawes, son of John, brother 
of (453). 

Chester Allen, son of Edmund Al- 
len. He took a certificate of his mem- 
bership, to be laid before a Council 
convened to form a new Church, in a 
factor)^ village in Springfield, in 1829, 
and removed there with his wife (343). 

Dudley Phelps, from Hebron, Conn. 

Dudley Phelps, nephew of (470), 
graduated at Yale College in 1823, 
studied Theology, settled in the min- 
istry in Haverhill, and also in Groton, 
Mass., where he labored faithfully in 
the ministerial office till his death. 

Rock Parsons, son of (223) remov- 
ed to the state of Alabama in 1820, 
and died there soon after. 

Hezekiah Walker, Jr., son of (243). 

Horace Walker, son of (317). 

Ira Stacy, son of (292), removed 
from this church by letter to Ludlow 
in 1825. Died May 



Deaths. Ag« 



1837 



1829 



41 



43 



1820 



48 



1847 



51 



1838 



4d 



CONGREGATIONAI, CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 149 



Names. Deaths 

Roxana (Glover), wife of (475), was 
from AVilbraham ; removed to Lud- 
low with her husband. After the 
death of her husband (475) she mar- 
ried Jason Miller of Williamsburgh, 
and removed there in 1843. 



Tertius Walker, son of (317), re- 
moved his church relation from here 
to Enfield in 1824; returned to this 
place in 1842. Died December 



As*. 



Daniel Rider, removed to the 
church in Holliston, January, 1845. 

Harrison Holland, brother of (395) . 

Anna Gilbert, wife of (479), the 
daughter of Maj. John Gilbert (319^), 
sister of (558). 

Enos Cowles, son of (85), removed 
to South Hadley. 

Nehemiah Buglet. 

Remember Joshua Cowles, son of 
(191). 

John Hunt, 3d. 

John Marshall, Jr., son of (374), 
removed to the state of New York. 

Catherine Bardwell, daughter of 
(418). She was second wife of (482). 
He married Hannah Bardwell, sister 
of Catherine, in 1801. Hannah died 
in 1812. In 1813, he married Cath- 
14^ 



1846 



1848 



48 



70 



#/ 



ir 



160 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Vumbcis. Names. 

erine ; she died May, 1819. In 1820, 
he (Nchemiah Bugbee), married widow 
Abigail Thayer. 

3Iary Nichols, daughter of (314). 
She married Clark Stone of Enfield, 
and removed there. 

Polly RJioades, daughter of Aaron 
Ehoades and Mary his wiie (356). 
She married (473), November, 1815, 
and died January, 



Deaths. Af« 



Harriet Hoice, daughter of Benja- 
min Howe. (He married Margaret 
Graves, daughter of Joseph and Eunice 
Graves, in 1785.) Harriet married 
Joseph W. Edson, of New Braintree, 
in 1819, and removed there. 

Amy Walker, daughter of (317). 
She married (485), son of (374), in 
1817. She died April 25, 

Oshea Walker, son of (243). Died 

Esther S. Walker, daughter of 
(243). 

Lydia Graves, daughter of (459.) 
In 1822 she married Asahel Clark of 
Granby and removed there. 
|\( 

Mary Bridgman, daughter of (550). 
In 1(817 she married (431). She died 

!.(&:■'. 

Triphena Kentfield, daughter of Da- 
vid iand Mary Kentfield. 

i -nJjiO L'jx 



1816 



1838 
1817 



1829 



20 



42 
28 



30 



CO]S"GB.EGATIOXAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 151 



1822 



Names. Deaths. 

Lois Danton, daughter of (582). 
In 1816 slie married (727). She died 

Marilla Dunton, daughter of (582). 
Removed her church relation in 1825 
to the church at Smyrna, N. Y. 

Diana Phelps, daughter of (222). 
She married Cornelius Delano of 
Northampton, and removed there. 

Reheckah Hunt, daughter of (294). 
In 1814 she married Jason Miller of 
Williamsburgh and removed there. 
She died about 1841. In 1843, Jason 
Miller married (47 G), widow of (475), 
and removed. 

Francis Wi^Json, son of John Will- 
son, who died in this town in 1818, 
aged 67. Francis removed to En- 
field. 



Nancy Bar dwell, daughter of (753), 
and grand-daughter of Capt. Jonathan 
Bard well, and Violet his wife (68,. 
In 1821 she married William Cush- 
man. She died 



Nancy {Strong), wife of Charles 
D wight, son of (197). She was daugh- 
ter of (314). Charles D wight died 
1815, aged 34. In 1820 she married 
(550), a third wife. She died 

Melissa P«r50?is, daughter of (223). 
In 1821 she married Warren Isham, 
then of Wilbraham. In 1822 she re- 



1823 



1839 



27 



27 



52 



152 

Nunibi'13. 

504. 

505. 
506. 

607. 

508. 

509. 

510. 

511. 
512. 
513. 
514. 
515. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Nr.mes. Deaths. Aft. 

moved her church reliition to the Free 
Communion Church in Tennessee. 



Abigail Strong, daughter of (314). 
In 1815 she married (550), a second 
wife. She died 

Patty Walker, daughter of (25G), 
married Mr. Miller of Ludio^y. 

Betsey Marshall, daughter of (374). 
Married (464) in 1815. Died the same 
year. The Church Records say of her, 
" a woman of high promise." 



Diana Howard, daughter of Silas 
Howard. 



Sally Howard, daughter of Silas 
Howard. She married John W. Peeso. 

Samuel Daiigherty, removed to Il- 
linois. 

Anna (Woods), wife of (509), 
daughter of Jonathan Woods. 

Elihu Root, son of (105). 

Lcvinah, wife of (511). 

Samuel Ingalls, 

Clarissa Ingalls, daughter of (513). 



1820 



1815 



38 



1» 



Nathaniel Dwight, son of Justus 
Dwight, Esq., and grand-son of (42). 



1824 



38 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 



Numbers. 

516. 



517. 



518. 



519. 



520. 



521. 



522. 



*22J. 



523. 



524. 



Names. Deaths 

Elizabeth {Dunbar), wife of (515), 
the daughter of Robert Dunbar and 
Betsey his wife (388), which see. 



153 

Agfl 



Justus Dwiglit^ Jr., Esq., son of 
Justus D wight, Esq., and grand-son 
of (42). He died 

Sophia {Dwight), his 1st wife; she 
was the daughter of (197). She died 

In 1817, Justus D wight, Jr. mar- 
ried Eliza Marshall, daughter of (374), 
a second wife; see (542). 

Olive Washburn, daughter of (790). 
She married (681), in 1821. 

Oliver Hannum, son of Phineas 
Hannum. 

Gamaliel Hannum, son of Phineas, 
brother of (520). 

Mercy M. Hannum, daughter of 
Phineas Hannum, and sister of (737), 
(520) and of (521). 

Sally Nichols, daughter of (344). 
She married Alvin Woods of Brook- 
field in 1817, and removed. 

Drusilla Rhoades, slrtcr of Thad- 
deus Rhoades. 

Lucinda Phelps, removed by letter 
of recommendation to a Council call- 
ed to form a Church at Lowell. 



1835 



1814 



54 
28 



154 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Joel Walker, son of (256), moved 
away. 

Dehor ah Walker, daughter of (243). 

Silence Walker, daiiglitcr of (243). 
She died 

Dara Walker, son of (243). He 
died 

Henry Ahhey, son of Mason Abbey. 
Drowned 

Arhy Stacy, son of (292), removed 
to Church in Granby in 1832, with 
his wife (429). 

Joel Randall, son of (369), died 

Ahner Towne 2d., son of (241.) He 
studied Theology, was licensed to 
preach, married Eliza Vinton, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Abiather Vinton of Am- 
herst, and sister of the Hon. Samuel 
F. Vinton, a leading member of Con- 
gress from Ohio. liev. Abner Towne 
early in his ministry moved to Ohio, 
and died young, in that state. 

Asa B. Woods, son of (585), re- 
moved by letter to Church in Hart- 
ford, Conn., in 1824. 

Joseph Woods, son of Jonathan 
Woods (585), and brother of (533). 



Daathc. Ag*. 



1821 
1838 
1813 



1815 



COXGKEGATIONAL CHUIiCII 11^ BELCHERTOWN. 155 



Names. 

Lydia Woods^ daughter of Jona- 
than Woods, (585). She married 
Joseph Henshaw. 

Susan Woods, daughter of Jona- 
than Woods (585). She married Geo. 
Vining of Plainfield, and removed 
there. 

Apphia {Preston)y wife of (446j), 
daughter of Jabez Preston of Granby, 
deceased. 

Sal cm Fisher, son of (234). 

Aldana Fisher, daughter of (234). 
She married David Liddle and remov- 
ed to state of Nev/ York. 

Theodotia Strong, daughter of (314). 
She married Mr. Stephen Hill of Shel- 
by, Orleans County, New York, and 
removed there. 

1813. 

Hannah Stacy, daughter of (292). 
She married (878), son of (241), in 
October 1818. 

See Appendix E. 

Eliza Marshall, daughter of (374), 
married (517) in 1818, removed to 
Church in South Hadley in 1838, and 
removed back to this Church in 1851. 

Lucy Hamilton, married (679), son 
of (197), in 1820, and they removed 



Deaths. Agw. 



156 

WtiniberB. 

544. 

545. 
546. 

547. 

548. 

549. 
549J. 



549J. 



550. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. Ag«. 

in 1828 to the churcli in Niagara, 
New York. 

Lucy, wife of Ephraim Converse, 
removed her church relation to North- 
ampton in 1823. 



551 



Anna Angier, daughter of (359), 
died 

Palty Angier, daughter of (359). 
She married Frederick Griswold of 
Longmeadow in 1821 and removed. 

Prudence Marsh, removed. 

Clarissa Dwig/U, daughter of (197), 
married (1266) in 1824. 

Mary Bridgman, daughter of (302). 
She married Samuel P. Hopkins in 
1819. 

Moses Hannum, son of (29). He 
died about 

Jeruslia Hannum, wife of (549^). 

From other Churches. 

Theodore Bridgman, son of (200). 
In 1800 he joined the Church in 
Greenwich South Parish, (now En- 
field) while he continued his residence 
here, and removed his church relation 
here. Died 

Vestcr Willson from church in Pel- 
ham. 



1814 



22 



1836 



79 



1836 



61 



CONGREGATIONAL CnUKCH IN BELCHERTO WN. 157 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Widow Hannah Cleveland, from 
church in Windham. 

Varney Fellows^ from church in Wil- 
lington, Rev. Hubbel Loomis pastor. 



Sarah (Smith), wife of Kev. Expe- 
rience Porter, (See notice of her in the 
historical sketch, connected with that 
of Mr. Porter,) from the church in 
Fair Haven, Vt. She died April 19, 



See also Appendix N. 

Betsey Matilda (Smith), wife of 
(647) the daughter of Dan Smith Esq., 
West Haven, Vt., from church in 
South Hadley, Rev. Joel Hayes, pas- 
tor. The c^iurch records say of her : 
" A lovely woman, the delight of her 
numerous friends ; a friend to the poor 
and an ornament to her sex ; she died 
as she had for ten years lived, in the 
exercise of the liveliest hope of the 
resurrection of the just. In her last 
sickness, which was 54 days, and fluc- 
tuating, she tasted an earnest of the 
blessedness of those that die in the 
Lord. She will for a long time be re- 
membered as a distinguished orna- 
ment of this Church and Society" She 
died Nov. 13. 



See Appendix N. and P. 
Josiah Fox. 
Wife of (556). 

15 



1825 



1814 



44 



28 



158 

Numbers. 

558. 

559. 
560. 

561. 
562. 

563. 

564. 
565. 



566. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths* Age. 

By Profession, 

George Gilbert, son of Major 
Jolm Gilbert (3 19 J) formerly from 
Hebron, Conn. 

Sylvia (Colton), his wife. She was 
from Longmeadow. 

Betsey Pearl, daughter of (372), 
married Marcus Whitman, son of (434), 
second wife, about 1822. 

Lydia Lemon, daughter of (425), 
married (814). 

Lucy NicJiols, daughter of (344), 
married Levi BroAvn of Norwich, and 
removed there in 1822. 

Nancy {Colton) wife of (723), sister 
of (559). She died 1815 30 

Eli Strong. 

Betsey Smith, sister of Rev. Mrs. 
Porter (554). She married (464) in 
1816. Daughter of Dr. Phineas 
Smith, formerly of Sharon, Conn. 

See Appendix N. 

1814. 

Abigail (Day), wife of Henry Mel- 
lon. Her husband died 1836. She 
died, November, 1841 68 



UOKGREGATIO^STAL CHUHUH IN Ui:.i.tJilJ^itTU WN^. l6^ 



Names. 

Delpliia Waslihurn, from the cliurcli 
in Hardwick, Rev. William B. Wes- 
son, Pastor. She married (720), Au- 
gust, 1831. He died in 1834. She 
agrain married Mr. Allen, of Stur- 



Deathg. Age 



bridge. 



1815. 



Susan (Gates), wife of (801), daugh- 
ter of Thomas A. Gates and Margaret 
his wife (232). She died 



Willis Ingalls. 



Horatio Parsons, son of (250), 
graduated at Williams College in 1820, 
studied Theology, and was settled for 
a tiniG in the ministry at Manchester, 
Vt. ; dismissed and stationed again in 
the ministry near the Falls of Niagara, 
New York ; removed his relation from 
this church years ago. 

Eliakim Phelps, Jr., son of (222), 
graduate of Union College in 1814. 
Settled in the ministry in West Brook- 
field in 1818 ; dismissed in 1824, and 
afterwards settled at Geneva, New 
York, and dismissed from there ; re- 
ceived the degree of D. D. ; is now 
residing in Stratford, Conn, without 
ministerial charge. 

Susan {Moody), wife of Enos Chase, 
the daughter of Joseph Moody of 
South Hadley. 



1847 



572. Wife of (637). 



62 



160 

Nombers. 

573. 



574. 
575. 

576. 

577. 
578. 



579. 

579J. 
580. 

581. 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. 

From other Churches. 



Enoch Burnett, from the churcli in 
Granby, Rev. Mr. Gridley, Pastor. He 
was brother of Jonathan, Stephen, and 
Arza Burnett. Arza was father of 
(1243). Enoch died 



Agft. 



Sophia ( Ch apin ) , wife of ( 5 7 3 ) . 

Sarah (Hall), wife of Elkanah At- 
wood, from Sutton, died 

Thomas Sahin, from church in 
North Wilbraham, died 

Abigail, wife of (576), from church 
in North Wilbraham, died 

Sally, first wife of Alpheus Winter, 
from North Wilbraham. Church re- 
cords say, " A woman of superior 
worth, a most animated, exemplary 
believer, full of the spirit of Heaven." 
She died 

Augustine Payne, physician, from 
church in Granby, Rev, Mr. Gridley, 
Pastor. Dr. Payne died 

Abigail (Mason), wife of (579). 

Olive, wife of Jonathan S. Tucker, 
from the church in Vernon, Conn. 

Margaret (Warriiier), wife of Giles 
Smith, from church in North Wilbra- 
ham, Rev. Mr. Witter, Pastor. She 



1850 

1842 
1829 

1821 



1817 



1814 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 161 



Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

is the sister of (383). Giles Smitli 
died in Wilbraham. 



582. 
583. 



584. 



585. 



586. 

587. 
588. 



Amasa Dimton, ) From the church in 
Wife of (582.) ] Cambridge, N. Y., 

and removed to the church in Smyrna, 

New York, 1825. 

Oliver S. Taylor, physician, from 
the church in Dartmouth College, Rev. 
Roswell Shurtleff, Pastor. Removed 
to Old South Church, Boston. Dr. 
Taylor was a graduate of Dartmouth 
College in 1809; studied medicine, 
and entered upon the practice in this 
town in 1814 ; chosen deacon of this 
church in 1816; left here in 1817, and 
has since been much of the time in 
business of Classical instruction, prin- 
cipally in the State of New York. 

Jonathan Woods, a native of New 
Braintree, son of Jonathan Woods, 
formerly of that place. This Jona- 
than was brother of David Woods, the 
father of Asa, who was father of Geo. 
B. Woods. The family were from 
Marlboro', and moved to New Brain- 
tree early in the settlement of that 
place. He died 

Lydia, wife of (585). She died 
August, 

Sally (Deering), wife of (726). 
She died 

Lucinda ( Whitney), wife of Sylves- 
ter Willson. 
15* 



1830 
1843 
1850 



68 



81 



68 



162 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths. Ag». 

Sally {Poles), wife of Nathan 
Weeks. 

Thomas Sahin, Jr., son of (576), 
from the church in Wilbraham. 



Ahigail {Durfy), first wife of (590). 
She died 

Sophia Holland, daughter of Jonas 
Holland and Susanna his wife (305). 
She married Aaron Arms, Esq., of 
South Deerfield in 1821, and removed 
her church relation there. She died 
about 

Maria Holland, sister of (591), 
daughter of Jonas and Susanna (305). 

From other Churches. 

Jemima Preston, from the church in 
Ashford, has resided here twelve 
years and communed with this church. 
She brings no letter from that church 
but is received here as a member, upon 
a former profession at Ashford, assent- 
ing to the Articles of this church. 

Sahra Willson, wife of John Will- 
son, from the church in Ludlow. 

Nancy (Plint), wife of Philo Tar- 
sons, from Monson. They removed 
from here to Monson, and he soon 
went to Alabama, and both died years 
since. 



1846 



1828 



59 



30 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 163 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

1816. 



Dca. Jonathan Clough, ) 

Wife o{ (596). ] 

They were from the church in North 
Wilbraham, and removed from here. 
Was not deacon in this church. 

Stephen Burnett, brother of (573), 
from the church in South liadley, Rev. 
Joel Hayes, Pastor. 

Ahigail (Witt,) wife of Stephen 
Burnett. She is the daughter of (747). 
They soon removed back to South Had- 
ley. 

Electa (Dickinson), second wife of 
Horace Gates, and daughter of Perez 
Dickinson, formerly of Amherst. Pe- 
rez was brother of Hon. Samuel F. 
Dickinson, formerly of Amherst, a 
graduate of Dartmouth College in 
1795. 

Mary, wife of Col. A. Jones, from 
the church in Phillipston, and went to 
the church in Ware Village in 1827. 

Cyrus Bartlett, from the church in 
Stafford. 

Anna Sahin, wife of (601), daugh- 
ter of (576). 

Prudence (Foote), wife of Eneas 
Clark, from the church in Wilbraham, 
daughter of Joseph Foote, formerly of 



164 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. Names. 

Colchester, Conn., and sister of Rev. 
Calvin Foote, a graduate of Middle- 
bury College in 1814, and settled in 
the ministry in East Longmeadow, 
and in Southwick, and in Granville, 
Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Clark removed 
from this j^lace to Colchester, Conn., 
in 1846. He died there in March, 
1848, a^ed 77. 



Sylvanus Stehhins, ) 

Wife of (604). ) 

They were from the church in Gran- 
by to this, and removed from here by 
a general recommendation of their 
standing, in 1823, to the State of New 
York. 

1817. 



Deaths. Age. 



Amanda Hunt, daughter of (294). 
She married Francis Willson, son of 
John Willson, in 1818. 

Darius H. Rice, removed to Can- 
ada. 

Sally, wife of Ethan S. Cowles, re- 
moved by letter to the church at St. 
Charles, Illinois, in 1848, with her 
husband. 

From otJier Churches. 

Clarissa Howard, from the church 
in Blandford, Rev. John Keep, Pastor. 

Cynthia, wife of (976), from the 
church in Stafford, Rev. Jos. Knight, 
pastor. 1 



CONGREGATIONAL CIIUKCII IN BELCHERTOWN. 165 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

3Iary Colton, from the cliiirch. in 
Monson, Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., pas- 
tor. She married Mr. Fellows, teacher 
in Mount Pleasant Seminary, Amherst. 

DrusilJa Day, from the church in 
West Springfield, Dr Lathrop, pastor. 

Second Wife of Captain Phineas 
Strong (314), widow Barnard from 
Northampton. After the death of 
Capt Strong (314), she married Deac. 
Isaac Clark of Northampton, in 1828, 
and returned there. 



1818. 



Jemima Bi 



Sally Phelps, daughter of (726). 
She married Abncr Hill of Shutes- 
bury, Sept. 29, 1825, and removed 
there. 

Rosina Phelps, daughter of (726) ; 
married Joel Fairfield in 1820; re- 
commended to a Council convened to 
organize a Church at Factory Village, 
Springfield, in 1829, and removed 
there and to that church. 

Cynthia Phelps, sister of (615) and 
(616), removed to Factory Village, in 
Springfield, in 1829. 

Mary Ahhey, daughter of Mason 
Abbey, married (235) in 1832. 



166 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

William Holland, son of Jonas Hol- 
land and Susanna his wife (305). In 
the year 1824 he married Electa Hop- 
kins, and both went as teachers under 
the direction of the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions, 
to Alabama, and then to Tennessee, 
where they labored in teaching among 
the natives for about 13 years, and' 
then removed to Jacksonville, Illinois, 
and left the employment of the Board. 

Cliauncy Bunton, son of (582), re- 
moved to the church at Smyrna, New 
York, by letter, in 1826. 

Nathaniel Freeman Dunton, son of 
(582), removed to Smyrna with his 
brother (621), in 1826, with his wife 
(764.) 

Charles Reed, son of (274), " remov- 
ed to the church in Greenwich, by let- 
ter, in 1824. 

Charles Walker, physician, son of 
(317), a graduate of Yale College in 
1823; studied the medical profession 
and settled in Northampton in medi- 
cal practice. See (317). 

Harry Knapp, removed by letter to 
Park Street church in Boston, in 1823. 

Emily Walker, daughter of (427), 
married Alva Sikes, of Ludlow, in 
1819, and removed there. 



Deaths. Age. 



COXGEEGATIOXAL CHIJIICH IN BELCHERTOWN. 167 



Numbers. 

627. 



628. 



629. 



630. 



631, 



632. 

633. 
634. 



635. 



Names. 

Eliza Walker, daughter of (427), 
married Obed Newton of Hadley in 
1822, and removed there. 

Almira Fisher, daughter of (234), 
married Leonard Barrett, Esq., in 
1826. 

Dimmis Stacy, daughter of (292), 
married Mark Hinckley. 

Julia Stacy, daughter of (292), mar- 
ried Luther Morse, Jr. of Boston, in 
1826, and removed her church relation 
to the Old South Church in Boston ; 
returned to reside here again in 1829. 
Her hushand died in 1850. 

Clarissa Howard, daughter of An- 
drew Howard, married (969). She 
died 

He married Irene Howard, her sis- 
ter, and she died March, 1841, aged 
39. 

Folly Walker, daughter of (243). 
She died 

Ahram Allen, son of Edmund Allen. 

Henian Moody, son of Josiah Moody 
formerly of South Hadley. For a few 
of the last years of his life he resided 
here with this son. See (848). He- 
man died 

Josiah Walker, removed to Illinois 
and died there 



Deaths. Age 



1838 



1838 



40 



36 



1826 



1847 



48 



76 



168 

Nombers. 

63G. 
637. 
638. 



639. 
640. 
641. 



642. 
643. 
644. 

645. 

646. 
647. 



IIISTOETCAL SKETCHES OF THE 
Names. 

Simeon Dwight, son of (197). 

David Fairbanks . 

Elizaheth Sexton, daughter of Noah 
Sexton, formerly of West Springfield. 
He died in Virginia. She married 
(468) in 1821. 

Lucy TFaZ^er, daughter of (317). 

Moses Goodale. 

Charlotte ElizahctJi (Crittenden), 
wife of Elihii Shumway. She was the 
daughter of Mr. Samuel Crittenden of 
Conway. 

Dchorah (Gleason), second wife of 
(243). She died 

Mary ( Whitman,) second wife of 
(473), and daughter of (434). 

Rebeckah {Vining), wife of (534), 
and daughter of George Vining, for- 
merly of Plainfield. 

Nancy (Reed), wife of (430), and 
daughter of (274). 

Mehitable (Ward), wife of (728). 

Mark Doolittle, son of Titus Doo- 
littlc, Esq., formerly of llussell, Hamp- 
den County, Mass., a graduate of Yale 
College in 1804, hy profession a law- 
yer. The author of this Historical 
Sketch. 



Doathn. Ag«. 

1843 63 
1837 61 



1846 



88 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 169 



Names. 

Sarah T. R. (Rahoteau,) second 
wife of (647). She was the daughter 
of Charles C. Raboteau, Esq., former- 
ly of Newburyport. He died in Phil- 
adelphia in 1816. 

Timothy Pearl, brother of (372). 
He died 

Salbj (Pernj), wife of (649). She 
died 

This family was from Vernon, Conn. 

Raljjh Owen, son of Capt. Eleazer 
Owen, who died in this town about 
1840. 

Fanny {Bis sell), wife of (651). 

Sarah (Stnith), wife of (718), daugh- 
ter of James Smith and Susanna his 
wife (280). 

Roxana, wife of John Lemon, re- 
moved to the church in Ludlow, in 
1825. 

From other Churches. 

Eleazer Pomeroy and his wife, from 
the church in Granville, Mass., Rev. 
Joel Baker, pastor. Removed from 
here to Enfield, Mass., and there died 
near each other, about 1833. 

Samuel H. Peckham, from the church 
at Northampton. He afterwards stud- 
ied Theology and settled in the min- 
istry in Gray, 6 years, and in Haverhill 
16 



Deaths. Age. 



1837 



1837 



62 



63 



170 

Nambers. 



654i. 



654^ 



654J. 



655. 

656, 
657. 

658 
659 
660, 
661 
662 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. Age. 

8 years, in the State of Maine. He 
was dismissed and now resides in Lii- 
nenburgli, Mass. Took a dismission 
from this church to that in 1 851 . Is now 
an agent for the American Missionary 
Association. 

Mrs. Sarah Baker, wife of Nathan- 
iel Ijaker, from the church in Enfield, 
llev. J. Cro.-hy, pastor. 

Delphia Washburn, from the church 
in Hard wick, Rev. William B. Wes- 
son, pastor. 

Mrs. Experience {Sikes), second 
wife of Azariah Willis, from the church 
in Ludlow. 



1819. 

Elisha Abbey, deacon, son of Ma- 
son Abbey. 

George Abbey, son of Mason Abbey. 

T'leroji Warjier, physician, son of 

(235). 



Ebenrzer Warner, son of (235). 

William B. Warner, 

George Was'iburn, son of {790). 1850 52 

John Whitman 2d, brother of (434). 1822 32 

Fanney {Abbey), wife of Thomas 
Goodale, daughter of Mason Abbey, 



COXGEEGATIOXAL CHUKCH IJNT BELCHERTOWN. 171 



Numbers. Nanips. Deaths. Age. 

and sister of (656) and (657) ; moved 
to Amherst. 



663. 

664. 

665. 
666. 
667. 

668. 
669. 

671. 

672. 

672J. 

673. 

674. 
675. 



William AJbro, removed to a church 
in Boston, 1824. 

Clark Alhro, removed to a church 
in Chicopee. 

Noah Clark, 

Adolphits Sfrong, son of (314). 

Theodore Bvidgman^ Jr., son of 
(550), moved to Michigan. 

Lee Spragiie^ removed to the church 
in Ware, in 1824 ; from there remov- 
ed to Worcester. 

Sylvester Cook^ son of David S. 
Cook, studied Theology, was licensed 
to preach, and became a settled minis- 
ter in New Jersey. 

Cyrus Stehbins, removed to Weire. 

Roderick Shewhrooks. 

Lucretia Witt, removed to the 
church in Granby, in 1824. 

Samuel Walker, son of (317), re- 
moved his church relation to a church 
in Springfield, in 1824. 

Zephaniah Wood. 



Silas Farrington. 



1849 



46 



172 niSTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

Estcs Marsh, son of Timothy P. 
Marsh. 

Samuel Brown, recommended to a 
Council called to form a new church 
at Ware Village, in 1826. He be- 
came a member of the church formed 
there, and removed back here in 1828, 
and removed to Illinois in 1831. 

Oramcl Bar dwell, son of Martin 
Bardwell, and grand-son of (418). 

Peregrine Dwiglit, son of (197), re- 
moved from this church in 1828, with 
his wife (543), to the church at Ni- 
agara, State of New York, where he 
died 1842 48 

Williams H. Wliittemorc, adopted 
son of (649). He graduated at Yale 
College in 1825; studied Theology, 
was licensed to preach, and settled in 
the ministry in Charlton, Mass., and 
in Southbury, Conn. 

Alvan Morse, son of Daniel Morse. 

Lydia Nichols, daughter of (344). 

Elizaheth Whitman, daughter of 
(434), married William Mason, Jr., of 
Palmer, in 1822, and removed. 

Catherine Whitman, daughter of 
(434), married Earl Sherman of Ware 
in 1843, and removed. Died 1845 42 



FoUi) Whitman. 



Numbers. 

686. 
687. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 

Names. Deaths. 



173 

Age' 



688. 

689. 
690. 
601. 

691J. 

692. 

693. 

693J. 
694. 
695. 

696. 



Ahhey Wliitman. 

Lydia Towne, daugliter of (241), 
married Deacon Jonathan Lyman 
(261); a second wife. Removed to 
Goshen in 1828, then removed to 
Granby, where he died in 1846. 

Esther Shumicay^ daughter of (730), 
married Horace Cook of Granby, in 
1833. 

Sarah Tainter, removed. 

Electa Walker. 

Mary Ford, removed by letter to 
the church in Monson, in 1827. 

Andrew Howard, father of (870), 
and moved away with him. 

Nancy Dwight, daughter of Samuel 
Dwight, married Mr. Bullard of Oak- 
ham, in 1824. 

Ainy Willson, married Mr, Hark- 
ness of Pelham, and removed. 

Olive Willson. 

Mary Ward. 

Clarinda Bardwell, daughter of 
(753). She died 

Mary BardioelJ, daughter of Martin 
Bardwell, who died in this town in 
1814, aged 43, and grand-daughter of 
16* 



1826 



27 



174 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OP THE 

Numbers. Names, Death'. 

(418). She married Fridas Preston, 
of Ashford, Conn., in 1828, and re- 
moved. 

Laura Towne, daughter of (353), 
married (1054), son of (369), in 1822. 

Joanna Kiniball. 

Susanna Church. 

Eunice Leach, daughter of Peter 
Leach. She married Melatiah B. 
Hinckley in 1830, and removed to 
Vernon, State of New York. She died 1843 



Martha D. Rhoades, daughter of 
Aaron Rhoades and Mary his wife 
(356). She married Albert Atwood, 
son of Elkanah Atwood and Sarah his 
wife (575). 

Betsey Atwood, daughter of Elka- 
nah Atwood. 

Zina Stacy, wife of Moses Stacy. 
She was daughter of Martin Bardwell. 

Experience Parsons, daughter of 
(233). She married Mr. Livingston 
of Amsterdam, State of New York, 
and removed there in 1825. 

Densy Lincoln, daughter of (378). 
She married Moses Young in 1819, 
and removed her church relation to 
Athol, in 1822. 



Age, 



42 



CO^^GIlEGATIO]S^AL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWlSr. 175 



Numbers. 

706. 



707. 



708. 
709. 

710. 
7101 
710|. 

711. 
712. 

713. 
714. 
715. 

716. 
717. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Hannah {Rice), wife of Joliii At- 
woocl, and daughter of (286). 



Betsey {Whitman), wife of Hazo 
Parsons, the daughter of Rev. Samuel 
Whitman, the first settled minister in 
Goshen. Huzo was son of (223). He 
moved to the South. 

Estlier, wife of John Hunt. 

Phehe {Smith), wife of (633), daugh- 
ter of (288). 



Wife of John Church. 

Wife of Elihu Chapman {Sylvia). 

Lyclia J. Clar^k, removed to the 
church in Granby, in 1823. 

Wife of Eliab Washburn. 1832 54 

Maria {Forward), wife of (463), 
daughter of Justus Forward, Esq. 
(731). She died 1840 40 

Wife of Timothy Bliss, removed, 

Abigail, wife of (607). 

Widow Betsey Bardicell, widow of 
Martin Bardwell. Her husband died 
April 2, 1814, aged 43. 

Wido20 Mary Hannum. 

Charity Clark, widow of Eleazer 
Clark, Esq. She was (Childs) from 



176 

Numbers. 



718. 
719. 

720. 
722. 

723. 
724. 
725. 
726. 

727. 
728. 
729. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths, 

Woodstock, Conn. Her husband died 
1808; a prominent man in town; a 
magistrate, representative, and in oth- 
er offices. Was son of (154). She 
died in May 1832 

Ahel Ames, son of Robert Ames and 
Susanna his wife (336). 

Gould Parsons, son of (223), re- 
moved his church relation to Troy, 
New York, in 1831. 



Joseph Kenncday, died 

Capt. Elislia Warner, son of (41), 
and brother of (235), died 

Oliver Bridgman, son of (187). 

Col. Zenas Stehhins, son of (129). 

Lehhcus Cliapin. He died 

Noah Phelps, son of Simeon Phelps, 
and g-rand-son of (36). Simeon died 
at Pittsfield in 1776, returning from 
service in tlie northern army, aged 34. 

Israel Cowles, son of (272), and 
grand-son of (56). 

Gideon Ames, son of Robert Ames, 
and nephew of (718). 

Chauncey Hoioard, son of Joseph 
Howard. 



1834 



1829 



1820 



Ago. 



58 



54 



32 



co:n-giiegational chuech in belcheetown. 



Numbers. Names. Deaths 

Solomon Shumway, brother of (174). 
He died 



730. 

731. 

732. 

733. 

734. 
734J. 



735. 
736. 

737. 



738. 
739. 
740. 



741. 

742. 



743. 



Justus Forward, Esq., son of Rev. 
Justus Forward. 

Sally Dormaji, daughter of Daniel 
Dorman, deceased, and sister of (976). 

Polly Farrington, removed to the 
church in Monson, by letter, in 1825. 

Wife of Nathan Bascom. 

Delilah C. IVard, removed to the 
church in Bolton, in 1822. 

Amos Farringion, ) Removed from 
Wife of (735). ] this place. 

Pliineas Hannum, son of Phineas 
Hannum, and grand-son of Samuel 
Hannum, one of the early settlers here, 
who died in 1780, aged 88. See (27). 

Mary {Reckards), wife of (737). 

Simeon Pejjper. 

{Woods), first wife of (739). 



She died. 

Jairus Ahhot 
Wife of (741 
Removed their church relation to 
Warren, in 1822. 

Levi Davis. 



1 1 



1826 



1828 



1826 



177 

Age. 

81 



41 



33 



178 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Nunibf^rs. 

744. 
745. 
746. 

747. 

748. 

749. 
750. 



751. 



753. 



754. 
755. 
756. 

757. 

758. 



Names. 

(Jackson), wife of (743). 



Dt.-iiihs. Age 



Henry Siehbins, son of (129). 
Anna {Jones'), wife of (745). 
Icory WiU. 
AVifeof (747). 

Samuel H. Preston. \ 

Wife of (749). S 

They removed their church relation 
to the church in Otisco, New York, in 
1824. 

Benjamin PheJps, son of Simeon 
Phelps, and grand-son of (36). He 
died, December 

Jonathan Bar dwell, son of Cnpt. 
Jonathan Bardwell and his wife Vio- 
let (68). He died 

llis first wife Anna, died 1803, 
aged 41. 

Calcl) Clark, son of (154). He died 

Al)cl Fuller. He died 

Snmud Smith, son of James Smith 
and Susanna his wife (280). 

Daniel Hannum, son of (33). He 
died 

Susanna Blodgel, daughter of (384). 
She married Horace Stacy in 1824. 
She died 



1820 



68 



1842 

1828 

1820 
1846 



1842 



1841 



77 

76 

60 
83 



80 



36 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOAVN. 179 



Numbers. 

759. 



760. 
761. 

762. 

763. 
764. 



765. 

766. 

767. 
768. 
769. 
770. 
771. 



Names. Deaths. Agt. 

Harriet Walker, daughter of (427). 
She married (1116), son of (635) in 
1824. She died i-^^vuM 1^ ^ 1842 40 

^ (J ' ^—- it^^3 

Diana Burge, removed to a cliurch 
in Hartford, in 1824. 

Susan Buxton, daughter of William 
Buxton, married Noble U. Hannum. 
She was sister of (429). 

Wealthy Root, daughter of (3.31). 
Slie married Josiah Witt, son of (747), 
in 1819. She died 1850 51 

Reheckah P. Taylor. 

Soj^Ma SmiiJu daughter of (756). 
She married Nathaniel F. Dunton, son 
of (582), in 1824, and removed her 
church relation, with her husband 
(622), to Smyrna, New York. 

Eleanor Billings, daughter of Ben- 
jamin Billings and his wife Sarah 
(275). 

Joseph H. Dioisht, son of (636), and 
grand-son of (197). He died 1849 43 

James Nichols, son of (344). 

Horace Barnahy, son of (348). 

Solomon Lincoln, son of (378). 

Selden Borden. 

Joel Davis. 



180 



HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths. 

Jolin Hyde, son of John Hyde, re- 
moved to the State of New York in 
1825. He xlied about 



Lewis Sahin, son of (590), a grad- 
uate from the College at Amherst, in 
1831. He studied Theology, and is 
settled in the ministry in Templeton, 
Worcester County, Mass. 

Eleazer Oioen, Jr., son of Captain 
Eleazer Owen, and brother of (651). 
He removed his church relation to the 
church at South Hadley Canal, in 
1824, and died in Granby a few years 
afterwards. 

Daniel Marsh, son of Timothy P. 
Marsh. Timothy P. Marsh died Oc- 
tober 1829, aged 62. 

David K. Angier, son of (359), re- 
moved to Amherst in 1831, and died 
there soon after. 

Mahitihel {Keith), wife of Elisha 
Billings. 

Louisa, wife of Vespatian Randall, 
removed. 

Elizabeth (Allen), wife of Horatio 
Rice, and daughter of Edmund Allen. 
She died 

Marilla {Francis), wife of James 
H. Clapp, and daughter of Rev. John 
Francis, formerly of Pittsfield, Mass. 



1830 



1823 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHT7ECH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 181 



Nambers. 

781. 

782. 

783. 
784. 



785. 
786. 

787. 



788. 
789. 
790. 

791. 
792. 
793. 



Names. 

Esther {Bridgman), wife of Park 
Holland, and daughter of (187). Park, 
was a brother of (395). He died June 
12, 1832, aged 51. 

Oramel Walker, son of (410), re- 
moved to Enfield. 

Silas W. Howe. 

Charles W. Parker, son of Thad- 
deus Parker, removed to the South 
Church in Amherst, in 1825. 

Joseph Davenport, ) t, , 

Wife of (785). pemoTed. 

Sally Ramsdell, daughter of Joseph 
Ramsdell. She married (790); a 
second wife. 

Wife of Reuben Blackmer. 

Mary A. Thayer. 

Col. Eliah Washburn, removed his 
church relation to the church in Gran- 
by, in 1823. He died, April 

Charles Washburn, son of (790). 
He died 

Diana Morse, wife of (791), and 
daughter of Daniel Morse. 

Benjamin Billings, Jr., son of Ben- 
jamin Billings and his wife Sarah 
(275). 



17 



Deaths. Af». 



1838 



1825 



66 



30 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OP THE 



Nampg. Deaths, 

Fanny Ramsdell, wife of (793), and 
(lauglitcr of Joseph llamsdell ; sister 
of (787). 



Age. 



Elijah Hannum, son of (33), and 
brother of (7o7). 

Wife of (794). 

Hannah {Gates), wife of Dexter 
Mellen, and daiigliter of Thomas A. 
dates and Margaret his wife (232). 

AJmira Townc, daughter of (353). 
She married llev. Erastus Benton, of 
ToUand, (now in Norwich, Conn.) 
in 1827. In 1823 she removed her 
church relation from this church to 
that in Granby. 

Iladassa Howard, dan gh tor of Silas 
Howard. She married Nathani'jl 
Hanks, son of James Hanks, in 1819, 
and removed to Enfield. 

George B. Woods, a native of New 
Th-aintreo, son of Asa Woods, formerly 
of that i)lace, Avho died in Brookfield ; 
was son of David Woods, formerly of 
Marlboro' ; moved to New Braintrcc 
early in life, and died there. 

Asahel DwiglU. 

Charles Dmihar, son of Robert Dun- 
bar and Betsey his wife (388). He 
died 



1832 



1842 



73 



63 



Numbers. 

802. 



803. 
804. 



805. 



CONGEEGATIOIS^AL CHUE,CH IN EELCHERTOWN. 188 

Deaths. Ag« 



806. 
807. 
808. 

809. 
810. 
811. 
812. 



Names. 

Delia (Cowles)., wife of Ezra Wood, 
and daughter of (191). Removed by 
letter to the church in Bolton, Conn., 
in 1822. 

Timothy Dimick. 

Edward Morris, brother of Hon. 
Oliver B. Morris, of Springfield. He 
was from Wilbrahani to this place. 
Drowned 

Mercy {Flint), wife of (804), and 
sister of the late Rufus Flint, Esq., of 
Monson. After the death of her hus- 
band in 1824, she returned to Monson, 
and died there in a few years. 

Chester Gray, removed to Hadley. 

Widow of Aaron Davis. 

Samuel Dunton, son of (582), re- 
moved to the church in Amherst Col- 
lege, in 1825. 

Widow Elizabeth Willson. 

Wife of (751), died 

Permelia Cook. 

Laura Chapin, daughter of second 
wife of (223.) She was Widow Cha- 
pin when she married (223). Laura 
died years since. 



1825 



1824 



85 



40 



1846 



n 



184 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Ifumbers. 

813. 



814. 
815. 

816. 

817. 

818. 
819. 
820. 
821. 

822. 
822J. 
823.' 
824. 
825. 

826. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Adelia Stoioington, removed her 
church relation to a church in Provi- 
idence, R. I., in 1832. 



Isaac Willis. ) Brothers. Jacob re- 
Jacob Willis. ( moved. 



Sally Warner, daughter of (235). 
She married Lucius F. Newton, of 
Monson, in 1826, and removed. She 
died 

Laura Ahhey, daughter of Mason 
Abbey, married Zenas Warner, of Do- 
ver, Vt., in 1827, and removed. 

Hannah Bakeman. 

Dorcas Freeman. 

Jeremiah Gray. 

(Peeso), wife of Harvey 

Hawes, and daughter of John Peeso, 
and sister of (454). 

Wife of John Freeman. 

A. Whitman, removed. 

Reheckah, wife of Aaron Davis. 

Semantha Cowles, daughter of (191). 

Isaac PheljJS, removed his church 
relation to New York, in 1823. 



1828 



Ransom Howard, son of Silas How- 



ard. 



24 



I 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 185 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age 

From other Churches. 



827. 



828. 



828i. 



829. 



830. 



831. 
832. 



833. 



Electa {Moody), wife of (634), and 
daughter of Ebenezer Moody, formerly 
of South Hadley ; from the church at 
South Hadley, Rev. Joel Hayes, 
pastor. 

Martin Woods, son of (585), from 
the church in Whately, and again re- 
moved there. 



Electa, wife of (828). 
White^ wife 



of Reuben 

White, and daughter of White, 

formerly of Hadley ; sister of Jereb 
White ; from the church in South 
Hadley. 

Lucy {Merrick), wife of George For- 
ward, and daughter of Samuel F. Mer- 
rick, Esq., of Wilbraham; from the 
church in Wilbraham to this ; the 
grand-daughter of Rev. Noah Merrick, 
the first settled minister of Wilbra- 
ham. 

Stephen Chandler, ) 

Lydia his wife. ) 

They were from the church in Troy, 
Rev. Jonas Coe, pastor. Removed to 
a church in Northampton, in 1829. 

Sally Nichols, from church in Troy. 



17^ 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Samuel Knight^ ) 
Mehitihel his wife, ) 
From the church in South Hadley, 
Rev. J. Hayes, pastor. 

Nancy {Forbes), wife of (462), from 
the first church in Brookfield, Rev. 
Eliakim Phelps, pastor. She died 

Amos C. Morse, > 

Wife of (837). ) 

From the church in Paxton to this 
church, and were united to the Colony 
church formed at Northampton, in 
1831, and removed to Illinois. 

Benjamin E. White, from the church 
in Chester to this church, and remov- 
ed to the church in Granby, in 1831. 

Margaret, wife of Jeremiah Gray, 
from the church in Greenwich, again 
removed. 

Elizabeth {Thompson), wife of Sol- 
omon Shumway (730), from the church 
in Brimfield. 

1820. 

From other Churches. 

Olive Hyde, wife of Clark Albro, from 
the church in Monson, Rev. Alfred 
Ely, D. D., pastor. 

Betsey {Cornwall), second wife of 
(723), from the church in Granville, 
Rev. Joel Baker, pastor. 



Deaths. Ag« 



1843 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHTJHCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 
Numbers. Names. Deaths. 

1821. 



187 

Age. 



846. 



847. 



848. 



849. 



850. 



851. 



852. 



854. 



855. 



From other Churches. 

Samuel Clark, son of Samuel Clark, 
and grand-son of (154), from the 
church in Pelham. 

Wife of (846), from the church in 
Pelham, with her husband. 

Josiah Moody, father of (634), from 
the church in South Hadley, Rev. Joel 
Hayes, pastor. He died 

Sarah {Clark), his wife, mother of 
(634). 

Capt. Ephraim Scott, from the 
church in Ware. 

Wife of (850), died soon after her 
husband. 

Harriet Eveleth, wife of Frederick 
Kilner, from the church in Enfield, 
and in 1830, removed with her hus- 
band (916), to the church in Barre. 

Ann, wife of Eliphas Reed, from the 
Baptist church in Leyden, and remov- 
ed to the church in Enfield in 1824. 

1822. 

Fro77i other Churches. 

Stephen Andrews, from the church 
in Pelham, and again removed from 



1828 



1841 



80 



83 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths, 

this place, in 1827. His wife Bridget 
died here in 1826, aged 63. 

Lydia, {Ely), second wife of (724), 
from the church in Wilbraham, Rev. 
Ebenezer Brown, pastor. 

1823. 



Age, 



Sybil {Billings), wife of David 
Bartlett. She died 

Sophia Bridgman, daughter of (550), 
married George Filer, son of Gurdon 
Filer and Hannah his wife (380), in 
1824 and removed to Albany, to the 
first Presbyterian church ; returned 
back to this place in 1832. 

From other Churches. 

Aurelia, wife of (459J), from the 
church in Westhampton, Rev. Enoch 
Hale, pastor. 

1824. 

Patty {Hannum), wife of Timothy 
Works, and daughter of (757). 

Sally Ingalls. , 

From other Churches. 

John C. Marsh, from the church in 
Montague, Rev. A. Gates, pastor ; re- 
moved to the church in Leverett, in 
1826, from this church. 



1843 



66 



COXGKEGATIONAL CHUE,CH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 



189 



Numbers. 

863. 



Names 



864. 



865. 



866. 



866J. 

V 

867. 



868. 



Jolm Spooner, chosen deacon in 
1829 ; from the church in Heath, Rev. 
M. Miller, pastor, and removed from 
this to the church m Ludlow, Factory 



Dealbs. Age. 



Village, in 1846. 

1825. 

From other Churches. 

Ehenezer Bariour, from the church 
in Ludlow, Rev. E. B. Wright, pastor. 

Theoda, wife of (864), from the 
same church. She died 

After the death of his wife, he re- 
moved back to Ludlow. 

Submit ( Widotv Robinson), second 
wife of Nathan Shumway, from the 
church in Williamsburgh, Rev. H. 
Lord, Pastor. Her husband, Nathan 
Shumway, was suddenly killed by 
falling on a mill wheel in rapid mo- 
tion, in February, 1827, aged 52. 
After his death his widow removed to 
Ware Village in 1836. Nathan Shum- 
way was son of Nathan Shumway, 
who died in this town, December 30, 



1818, 



aged 88. 



Sally {Burden), widow of Josiah 
Kentfield, from the church in Enfield. 

Nancy Forioard, daughter of Justus 
Forward, Esq. (731). 

Caroline Forward, daughter of 
(731). These sisters died within three 
days of each other, in March, 1835. 



1829 66 



1835 



1835 30 



32 



190 

Jf umbers. 

870. 

87]. 
872. 
873. 
874. 

875. 

876. 

877. 
878. 
879. 



IIISTOaTCAT. SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. Age. 

1826. 

Solomon B. Hoivard, son of (691 J), 
removed to Oakfield, Iliinois, in 1848. 
His wife Avas a member of the church, 
and removed Avith him. 

Luther Coivles. 

Dexter Chase, son of (432). 

Wife of James Wentworth. 

Mary {Strong), wife of Henry A. 
Bridgman (460), daughter of (314). 



Louisa Kellogg, died in South Had- 
loy, in 

Anna Nichols,, daughter of (344). 
She married Daniel Giddings, of Nor- 
wich, in 1827, and removed there. 

Patty Phelx>s, daughter of (726), 
married Alfred W. Hill. 

Israel Toimie, chosen deacon in 
1829, son of (241). See Appendix E. 

Anson Moody, deacon, physician, 
son of Capt. Daniel Moody, formerly 
of South Hadley ; a graduate of Yale 
College in 1814; studied medicine 
and entered upon the practice, and 
had a successful practice in this town ; 
removed to Ware Village in 1829; 
removed from there to Connecticut, 



1835 



C0NGrvEGATI02NAL CHURCH IX BELCHEETOWK. 191 



Kumbera. 



880. 



881, 



882. 



883. 



885. 



886. 



887. 



Names. 

and is now in practice in the city of 
New Haven. He was chosen deacon 
of this church in 1829. 

Clarissa (Collins), wife of (879), 
and daughter of Ebenezer Collins, for- 
merly of South liadlcy. 

3Iaria {Filer) wife of (666), niul 
daughter of Gurdon Filer and Hannah 
his wife (380). 

Delia (Kelly), wife of (909). 

Mary Ann Graves, daughter of 
(459), married George Holland, son 
of (395), in 1828, and removed to Ni- 
agara, State of New York. 

Penelope D. Graves, daughter of 
(459), married Ashley Holland, son of 
(395), and removed with her sister 
(883), to Niagara, in 1828. (See 
1040). Moved away, and moved back, 
and again went away. 

Esther Bliss, daughter of Timothy 
Bliss and wife (713). She married 
Almond Fisk, and removed from this 
place to Shutesbury, in 1849. 

Harriet Pai^ker, daughter of Thad- 
deus Parker, and sister of (784). She 
married Mr. Whiting of Plainfield, 
and removed there. 

Louisa Dunhar, daughter of Azel 
Dunbar, and grand-daughter of Rob- 
ert Dunbar and wife (388). She died 



Deaths. Age 



1833 23 



192 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths. Age, 

Lucretia Abbey, daughter of Mason 
Abbey. She married Eli Barrows of 
Brimfield, in 1833, and removed there. 



Lucretia Bridgman, daughter of 
(550). She died 

Julia Ann Stebbins, daughter of ( 724). 
She married Rev. David Perry, of Hol- 
lis, Xew Hampshire, in 1837, and re 
moved her church relation to that 
church. 

Elizabeth Millard, daughter of Eli 
Millard and Elizabeth his wife (402). 
She married Ruel Thompson, of Fair 
Haven, Conn., in 1837, and removed 
there. 

From other Churches, 

Elisha Woods, from the church in 
East Hampton, Eev. Payson Willis- 
ton, pastor. He united with the 
church formed at Northampton in 
1831, to remove as a colony to Illinois. 

Wife of (892), from the church in 
Easthampton, removed with him. 

Wife of Cotton Smith, from the first 
church in Amherst, the daughter of 
Samuel Smith of Amherst. She soon 
returned to that place. 

Widow Ephraim Marsh, from the 
church in Montague, and removed to 
the first church in Hadley, by letter, 
in 1827. 



1840 



CONGEEGATIOXAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWX. 193 
N'umbers. Names. Deaths. Ago. 

1827. 



896. 

897. 
898. 

899. 
900. 

901. 

902. 



903. 
904. 



905. 



Stephen Dunbar, removed to the 
north church in Amherst, in 1831. 

James Whitman, Jr., son of (434). 

Polly {Pearl), wife of (727), and 
sister of (649) and (372). 

Liicy, wife of George Nye. 

Emily S. Moore, daughter of Wil- 
liam N. Moore. She married Joab 
N. Squier, in 1827. 

Dolly W. Sttbhins, daughter of 
(724), married Luther HoUand, Jr., 
son of (395), in 1835. 

Mary Fairbanks, daughter of (637), 
married William Reed, son of (274), 
in 1828. She died 

He married again. See (932). 

Minerva Randall, daughier of (369). 

Caroline Daugherty, daughter of 
of (509). She married Rev. William 
M. Richards, settled in the ministry 
for a few years at Bloody Brook, 
(Deerfield). 

Minerva Cowles, daughter of (272), 
married Daniel Marsh, son of Timothy 
P. Marsh, in 1833. 



18 



1835 



27 



194 



HISTOmCAIi SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Laura Sahin, daughter of (590), 
married (1022) in 1829. 

Rhoda Root, daughter of (351). 
She died 

Lydia Whitman, daughter of (434), 
married Amos L. Mason of Palmer, in 
1837. 

Alanson Stacy, son of (292). 

Elijah Broion, removed. 

Elijah Whitney, removed to the 
Baptist church in Belchertown, in 
1828. 

George Holland, son of (395). 

Emily Dwight, daughter of Samuel 
Dwight, married Horatio Brown of 
Heath, in 1837; now (1851) resides 
in Hatfield. 

Melintha Leach, daughter of Peter 
Leach. She married Henry Canter- 
bury, and removed to Ware. 

Frederick Kilner, removed in 1830 
to the church in Barre, with his wife 
(852). 

Sophronia Bardwell, daughter of 
Jonathan Bardwell, and grand-daugh- 
ter of Capt. Jonathan Bardwell and 
Violet his wife, removed. 



Deaths. Age- 



1845 



36 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 195 



918. 



919. 



920. 



921. 



922. 



923. 



924. 



925. 



Names. Deaths. Ag*, 

From other Churches. 

Phehe (Chapin), wife of (863), from 
the church in Heath, and removed 
with her husband (863), to Ludlow 
Factory Village, in 1847. 

Maria {Flint), wife of Rev. Lyman 
Coleman, and daughter of Rufus Flint, 
Esq., of Monson, from the church in 
Monson, Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., 
pastor. 

Salome ( Thayer), wife of Zebulon 
Dodge, from the second church in Am- 
herst, Rev. Nathan Perkins, pastor, 

removed to the state of New York. 

Mary (Sikes), wife of (1284), from 
the church in Ludlow, Rev. E. B. 
Wright, pastor. (1284), son of (256). 

Wife of David Ruggles, from the 
church in Enfield, Rev. Joshua Crosby, 
pastor. 



Martha Hamilton, mother of (836), 
from the church in Brookfield, Rev. 
Micah Stone, pastor. She is the 
widow of Joseph Hamilton, formerly 
of Brookfield. 

Mary (SteUins), wife of (1121 J), 
from the church in Granby. 

George Nye, from the church in 
Roxbury, New Hampshire. 



196 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. Deaths 

Abigail (Phelps), third wife of Hor- 
ace Gates. Mr. Gates died in 1840. 
In 1847, she married (590). She was 
from the church in Hebron, Conn., 
Rev. L. Strong, pastor. 

Mary Ann Biighee, from the church 
in Granby, Rev. C. Chapin, pastor. 

1828. 

Mary {Kendall), wife of Nehcmiah 
Smith. She was from Ludlow, and 
was daughter of Ruel Kendall, deceas- 
ed, formerly of Ludlow. 

Angeline (DougJierty), wife of Sam- 
uel Brown, and daughter of (509). 
She married Samuel Brown, in 1826. 
and removed to the church at Ware 
Villajje. 



Nelson Holland, son of (395). He 
died 

William Reed, son of (274), (See 
1098), second wife. They removed to 
Crystal Lake, Illinois, in 1846. 

From other Churches. 

Ansel Hoivard, from the church in 
Bridgwater, Rev. Mr. Sanford, pastor. 
He removed to Perrington, New York, 
in 1839. 

Hulda {Allen), wife of (933). She 
died 



1829 



25 



18321 45 



i 



C02^GIIEGATI0XAL CHtmCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 197 



941. 



942. 



943. 



Nambera. 

935. 
936. 

937. 
938. 

939. 
940. 



Names. 

Ansel A. Howard, son of (933), re- 
moved with his father to Perrington, 
in 1839. 

Harriet A. Howard, daughter of 
(933), married Francis Dunbar, son of 
(801), and removed to Perrington, 
New York, in 1837, with her husband. 

Samuel Brown, from the church in 
Ware Village, Rev. P. Cook, pastor. 

Caluin A. Warren, from the church 
in Hebron, State of New York, a prin- 
ter by trade ; left here in 1829. 

Calel) Walker, from the church in 
Westford, Conn. 

Mariam Powers, from the church 
in Westboro', Rev. Mr. Rockwood, 
pastor. Removed soon from here, 

1829. 

Lemira Ann Cliapin, sister of (918), 
married David S. Ames, son of (718), 
in 1837. 

Almira Ward, daughter of Ezra 
Ward and Delia his wife (802). 

Joseph Powers, removed his church 
relation to Enfield, in 1831, by letter, 
and his wife (945) also, and removed 
their residence to that place. 



18* 



Deaths. Age. 



198 HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Vumbera. Names. Deaths, Age. 

From other Churches. 



Sophronia (Tarhel), first wife of 
(655), from the church in Brimfield. 
She died. 

Nancy, wife of (943), from the 
church in Sturbridge. Removed with 
her husband to Enfield, in 1831. 

Elijah Chajnn, from the church in 
Granby, Rev. C. Chapin, pastor. 



Kersiah 
(354). 



Towne. See (353) and 



Joseph Totone, son of (353), from 
the church in Granby. 

Lucy, second wife of (530), from 
the church in Northampton, Rev. S. 
Williams, pastor, and removed with 
her husband to Granby, in 1832. 

1830. 

Sarah Dwight, daughter of (455), 
married Dr. John Taylor, of New York, 
in 1831, and removed there. She died 
within a few years, in Michigan, where 
she and her husband had removed. 

Salome T. Dodge, daughter of Zeb- 
ulon Dodge and Salome his wife 
(920). She married Eliphalet Strong, 
of Stafford, Conn., in 1830, and re- 
moved to that place. 



1833 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 199 



Kumbers. 

952. 



953. 



954. 
955. 

956. 
957. 

958. 

959. 
960. 
961. 

962. 
963. 
964. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Daniel Broicn, removed to Illinois 
with the colony church formed at 
Northampton in 1831, united with 
that church, and went with it. 

^.JU^red^R^ Winter^ son of Alpheus 
Winter. 

Lyman Walker, son of (317). 

Neioel UpJianij son of Roger F. Up- 
ham. 

Jesse Randall, son of (369). 

Jotliam Randall, Jr., son of (369), 
removed by letter to the church in 
Spencer, in 1842. 

Phineas C. Walker, son of (412). 
He died. 1834 21 

Aaron Walker^ Jr., son of (412). 

Atherton Ralph Owen, son of (651). 

Elvira Owen, daughter of (651). 
She married Henry A. Dwight, son of 
Charles Dwight, deceased, and grand- 
son of (197), in 1833. 

Frances Owen, daughter of (651). 
She died 1833 17 

Electa TPjw^er, daughter of Alpheus 
Winter, died ' " 1850 35 

Harriet Millard, daughter of Eli 
Millard. 



200 



IIISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Names. 

Lydia M. Keith, dauo;liter of Jona- 
tlian Keith. She married Edwin Ad- 
ams, of Grass Lake, Michigan, in 1839, 
and removed there. 

Ann E. Barilett, daughter of (601). 
She died 

Louisa Bartlett, daughter of (GOl). 
She married Jonathan W. Beers of 
Ware, in 1839, and removed there. 

Cyrus S. Bartlett, son of (601). 

Jacob Finley, married Clarissa How- 
ard, daughter of (69U-), (See 631), 
first wife of (969). She died in 1838. 
He again married her sister (1179); 
she died in 1841. He again married 
(1149). 

Sherman Sahin, son of (590). 

Theodosia Hoicard, daughter of An- 
drew Howard. She married Mr. Bos- 
worth of Westfield,* about 1835, and 
removed there. 

Fron other Churches. 

Philetus W. Burnett, son of (573), 
from the Green Street church, Boston, 
Rev. William Jenks, D. D., pastor. 

AUgail (Burr), wife of (972), and 
daughter of Ansel Burr of Ludlow. 
They were dismissed and removed 
their church relation to the church in 
Palmer, in 1841. 



Deaths. Ag©. 



1833 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 



Numbers. 

974. 



975. 

976. 
677. 



978. 
979. 

980. 
881. 
982. 

983. 
984. 



Names. Deaths, 

Solomon Marshy from the cliurcli in 
Montague, and removed to the church 
in Ludlow, (Jenksville), in May, 1847. 

1831. 

Hervey Hawes, son of John Hawes, 
and brother of (453), removed with 
his wife (821), to the church in En- 
field, in 1833. 

Roderick Dorman, son of Daniel 
Dorman. 

Or rich Willis, physician, son of 
814, removed to Hardwick, procured a 
change in his name to William H. Wil- 
lis ; now (1851) a practising physician 
in South Reading. 

Anderson Wright. 

Henry Stebbins, Jr., son of (745). 
He died 1837 

*S. Streetcr. 

David Robbins. 

Lucy M. Doolittle, daughter of 
(647), by his first wife (555). She 
married (992) in 1834; a second wife. 

Lncy Stebbins, daughter of (430), 
married (1100), son of (590), in 1837. 

Caroline Stebbins^ daughter of 
(430). 



201 

Age. 



19 



202 



HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

985. 



986. 



987. 



988. 



989. 
990. 



Names. Deaths. Age, 

Emily Stehhins, daughter of (430), 
married (968), son of (601). 



Lavinia StehMns, daughter of (745), 
married CM. Kendall of Palmer, in 
1849, and removed there. 

Harriet Stehhins, daughter of (724). 
She married Rev. Ervin Carpenter, of 
Littleton, New Hampshire, in 1846, 
and removed her church relation there. 

Ann E. Bridgman, daughter of 
(550), married John S. Gould, of Al- 
bany, in 1838, and removed there. 
She died 



1840 



991. 



992. 



993. 



Nancy Bridgman, daughter of (723). 

Eliza Kenneday, daughter of (720), 
removed her church relation to Os- 
wego, Illinois, in 1848. 

1831. 

Almira Walker, daughter of (317), 
married Salem Towne of Granville, 
New York, in 1845, and removed her 
church relation there. 

Horatio Thomson, physician, son of 
Dr. Gurdon Thomson, formerly of 
Tolland, Conn. 

Cordelia (Chapman,) first wife of 
(992), and daughter of Col. Eliakim 
Chapman, formerly of Tolland, Conn. 
She died 



24 



1833 



29 



CONGEEGATIONA.L CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 



Kuinbers. 

995. 



996. 
998. 

1000. 
1001. 

1002. 
1003. 



1004. 
1005. 

1006. 



Names. ^^ Deaths 

Joseph Bridgman, Jr., son of Jo- 
seph Bridgman, Esq., and grand-son 
of (200), removed to Iowa. 



203 

Age. 



George Haives, son of (453). He 
died 

Susan (Holland), wife of (799), and 
daughter of Jonas Holland and Susan 
his wife (305). 

Nancy Owen, daughter of Capt. 
Eleazer Owen. 

Mary Bridgman, daughter of (723), 
married Samuel Kingsley, of West- 
hampton, in 1832, and removed there. 

Caroline Holland, daughter of Park 
Holland and Esther his wife (781). 
She married (1030), son of (511), in 
1842. 

Mary Holland, daughter of Park 
Holland and Esther his wife (781). 
She married Mr. Fenn, of Lacon, Illi- 
nois, in 1848, and removed her church 
relation there. 

Nancy Hawes, daughter of (453), 
married Franklin Dickinson, in 1832. 

MaryM, GtVJer^, daughter of (558), 
married (954), October 16, 1839. She 
died October 31, 

Horace Stacy, son of Moses Stacy 
and wife (703). 



1835 



1846 



21 



28 



204 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1007. 



1008. 
1009. 

1010. 

1011. 

1012. 
1013. 

1014. 
1015. 

1016. 
1017. 



« Names. Deaths. Age 

Francis Dmihar, son of (801), re- 
moved his church relation to Perring- 
ton, State of New York, in 1837. 

Philander Marsh, removed to Mon- 
tague. 

Elijah Pratt, son of Capt. David 
Pratt, who died in this town in 1806, 
aged 66. 

Elclad Parsons Dwight, son of 
(455), removed to Mississippi. 

Widow Esther Marsh, widow of 
Timothy P. Marsh. 

Ann Lii'crmore. 



Catherine Biighee, daughter of (482), 
married Obed Newton, of Hadley, in 
1836, a second wife ; his first wife 
(627). She died in 1835, aged 34. 

Elizaheth Root, daughter of (351), 
married James M. Alden of Green- 
wich, in 1834, and removed there. 



Elizabeth Stro7ig, daughter of (464), 
married Henry Shepherd of North- 
amj)ton, son of Thomas ShejDlierd, 
Esq., and removed there. She died 1847 

Harriet Cowles, daughter of (341). 

Eliza Dwight, daughter of (515), 
married Elihu Root, Jr. son of (511), 
in 1841. Her husband, Elihu Root, 
Jr., died in 1844, aged 34. 



CONGKEGATIOK-AIi CHUECH IN BELCHEETOWN. 205 



Numbers. 

1018. 



1019. 



1020. 



Names. 

Mary Dwight, daughter of (515), 
married Henry Mellen, in 1837. She 
died 

Mary R. Dioight, daughter of (636), 
married Edwin P. Tucker, in 1835. 

Frovi other Churches. 

Asenath (Smith), wife of David 
Lewis, from the church in Palmer, 
Rev. T. H. Ware, pastor. They soon 
removed to the State of Illinois. 



Deaths. Age^. 



1021. Second Wife of Ebenezer 
from the church in Monson. 



Barber. 



1022. 



1023. 



1024. 



Ephraim Montague, from the church 
in Hadley, Rev. John Brown, D. D., 
pastor ; son of Jedediah Montague, 
formerly of Hadley, and died there 
August 19, 1824, aged 58. Jedediah 
Montague was a lineal descendant of 
Richard Montague, who came from 
England to this country in 1640. His 
son John had a son John, who had a 
son by the same name, who was the 
father of Jedediah. All of the name 
of Montague in New England are sup- 
posed to be descendants of Richard as 
their common ancestor. This family 
early settled in Hadley, and were 
among the first settlers of the place. 

Laura (Sahin), wife of (1022), and 
daughter of (590). 

Louisa ( Towne), wife of Humphrey 
T. Filer, and daughter of (353). 
19 



1847 



32 



206 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1025. 



1026. 



1027. 



1027J. 



1028. 
1028J. 

1029. 

1030. 
1031. 

1032. 
1033. 



Names. Deaths. 

Joah BartUtt, from the church in 
Enfieldj Rev. S. G. Clapp, pastor. 

Charlotte, wife of (1025) from the 
church in Enfield. 



Warren A. Reed, from the church 
in Chester ; resided here till 1842; 
removed his church relation that year, 
to the Edwards church in Northamp- 
ton, and resided there till his death, 
September, 



Age. 



Louisa {Lyman), his wife, daughter 
of Col. Timothy Lyman of Chester. 
She removed with her husband. 

1832. 

Eddy Shumway, son of (174). He 
died 

Betsey (Russell), wife of (1028), 
and daughter of Jonathan Russell, for- 
merly of Enfield. 

Sylvia Chapin, sister of (918), from 
Heath. 

Harrison Root, son of (511). 

Festus Moody, son of (634). He 
died 

John Davis. 

Eliza Tucker, daughter of Jonathan 
Tucker. She married Ezra Cary of 
Enfield, and removed there. 



1845 



1850 



1832 



37 



65 



24 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 207 



Numbers. 

1034. 



1035. 



1036. 



1037. 



Names. 



Deaths. Age 



1038. 



1039. 



1040. 



1041, 



Wareham C. Gilbert, son of (558). 

Frojn other Churches. 

Ara Wright, from the churcTi in 
Ludlow, Rev. E. B. Wright, pastor. 
Ara was brother of (446f ), and son of 
Cyprian Wright, formerly of Ludlow. 

Wife of (1035), from the church in 
Ludlow, removed with her husband to 
Chicopee. 

Hannah {Gay), first wife of (656), 
from the church in Dedham, Rev. Dr. 
Burgess, pastor. She died 

1833. 

Sarah Bridgman, daughter of Jo- 
seph Bridgman, Esq., and grand- 
daughter of (200). She married Mr. 
Dixon of Delaware, and removed to 

that State. 

From other Churches. 

Naomi T. {Toicne), wife of Silas 
Howard, and daughter of (353), from 
the church in Granby. 

Penelope D. {Graves), wife of 
(884J), and daughter of (459), from 
the church at Niagara, New York; 
they removed back there soon. She 
died there about 

Louisa, wife of William Atwood, 
from the church in Palmer ; remained 



1849 



42 



1838 



30 



208 

Numbers. 

1042. 
1043. 

1044. 



1045. 
1046. 
1047. 

1048. 

1049. 

1050. 
1051. 

1052. 



Polly, wife of Theodore Bridgman, 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Nmos. Deaths. Agp. 

here but a short time ; moved from 
here, and died soon after. 



Cynthia Nichols, wife of (767). 

Margaret M. Bio d get, daughter of 
(384). 

Mary Hannum, daghter of (757), 
married Ward Woodbury, in 1844 ; a 
second wife. He married Amanda 
Hannum, daughter of (757), for his 
first wife. She died in 1843. 

Adaline Hannum, daughter of (757). 
She died 



1843 



Jr. 



Eliza {Clark), wife of Joseph Kel- 
logg, and daughter of Eleazer Clark, 
Esq., who died in this town in 1808, 
aged 45. 

Mary C. Root, daughter of (351), 
married Thomas Marshall, in 1845. 
She died 

Oshea Walker, son of (412), remov- 
ed to the church in Northampton, in 
1842. 

Anna Sahin, 

Betsey ( Wright), first wife of Arte- 
mas Owen. She died in February, 



Wilmoth Phillips. 



1850 



1838 



45 



32 



Numbers. 

1053. 
1054. 
1055. 

1056. 
1057. 
1058. 

1059. 



1060. 

1061. 

1062. 

1063. 

1063J. 

1063S. 

1064. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHUKCH IN BELCHEBTOWN. 
Names. Deaths. 



209 

Age. 



Mary Ann (Kilner), wife of (1052). 

Chester Randall, son of (369). 

Jefferson Leach, son of Peter Leach, 
who died in 1851. 

Luther Holland, Jr., son of (395). 

Sarah S. Ames, daughter of (718). 

Martha Ann Walker, daughter of 
(410). She died 

Philura C. Walker, daughter of 
(317), married (1034), October, 1840. 

1834. 

Lydia Gray, daughter of Jeremiah 
Gray, married Jabez Preston of Gran- 
by, and removed there. 

Elizabeth (Goodale), wife of (521), 
and daughter of Moses Goodale, 

Betsey Howe, sister of (431), re- 
moved. 

Emily A, Phelps, daughter of (462), 
married Cordial Crane, in 1842. 

Stiles Hannum, son of (549 J). 

Wife of Stiles Hannum, She died 

Betsey L. Marshall, daughter of 

19* 



1840 



1847 



21 



58 



210 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



1069. 



1070. 



at Tiverton, Rhode Island, where she 
and her husband were residing, on the 
11th of February, 

She came recommended to this 
church from the church in Reading, 
where Mr. Reid had been settled in 
the ministry before he came to this 
place. (See notice of her historical 
sketch, page 44). 

Maria Gillette daughter of Harvey 
Gillett. 

Luke Leach, son of Peter Leach. He 
removed from here to Wendell, and 
united with the church there. 

Mary Walker, daughter of (427), 
married Stephen J. Miller of Ludlow, 
and removed there, in 1844, 



Numbers. Names. Death?. Age. 

(485). She married Albert C. Nash, 
of Canton. 



Julia Lucretia Towne, daughter of 
(878), married (1091), son of (727), 
in 1844. 

John G, Walker, son of (412), re- 
moved in 1843. 

Clarissa Morse, daughter of Daniel 
Morse. 

1835. 

Sarah (Bigeloiv), wife of Rev. Ja- 

red Reid, daughter of Bigelow, 

Esq., of Colchester, Conn. She died 



1845 



57 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 



Numbers. 

1071. 



1072. 

10724. 

1073. 
1074. 

1075. 
1076. 
1077. 

1078. 

1079. 

1080. 

1080J. 



Names, Death 

Esther Marsh, daughter of Timo 
thy P. Marsh, married Samuel F 
Ames, son of (718), in 1836. 



Amanda Hanmim, daughter of (757), 
first wife of Ward Woodbury of Am- 
herst ; married in 1840. She died 

(See 1044). 

Mary (Barroius), second wife of 
Elisha Abbey, from Brimfield. 

Henry P. Allen, son of (633). 

Henri/ J. Walker, son of (474), re- 
moved to the church in Ashfield, in 
1848. 

Edioard Marshall, son of (485). 

Elon Walker, son of (412). 

David Lewis, son of Jesse Lewis of 
Ware. He resided here several years. 
Removed to Illinois in 1837. 

Abigail A. Sahin, daughter of (590), 
married Dr. Willis. (See 977). 

Joan M. Allen, daughter of (633), 
married Festus Currier, and removed. 

Cornelia Dorman, daughter of 
(976). 

Betsey M. Doolittle, daughter of 
(647), by his first wife (555). She 
married John Stacy, in 1838, a gradu- 
ate of Yale College, son of (475). 



184; 



212 

Numbers. 

1081. 
1082. 

1083. 

1084. 
1085. 

1086. 



1087. 



1088. 



1089. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. Deaths. Age. 

1835. 

Harriet Gilleit, daughter of Harvey 
Gillett, removed. 

Emeline Walker, daughter of (410), 
married Theodore Chapman, of Hano- 
ver, N. H., in 1835, and removed 
there. 

Malissa Toivne, daughter of (353), 
married Ransom Howard, son of Silas 
Howard. 

Armina Cozvles, daughter of (436). 

Hiram Gilbert, from the church in 
Ware, and soon removed. 

Grace Stehhins, daughter of (745), 
married Albert Moody of Granby, in 
1849. Albert is son of Quartus 
Moody and wife Mary ; she was the 
daughter of (241). 

Laura B. Stehhins, daughter of 
(745). 

Harriet M. Ames, daughter of (718), 
married Francis Taylor of Granby, in 
1843, and removed to the church in 
Springfield, under the care of Rev. 
Mr. Porter, in 1843. 

George W. Gilbert, son of (558), 
removed to the church at Plymouth 
PIollow, Conn. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 



Numbers. 

1090. 



1091. 
1092. 
1093. 

1094. 

1095. 

1096. 
1097. 
1098. 



1099. 
1100. 
1101. 



Names Deaths 

Daniel F. Phelps, son of (462), has 
connected himself with the United 
States Navy ; has gone from ns. 

Tertius Coivles, son of (727). 

JoJm R. Skumiomj, son of (1028). 

Emory B. Foster, dismissed and re- 
moved. 

Mary (Ames), daughter of (718), 
married Estes Marsh, son of Timothy 
P. Marsh, in 1832. He removed to 
Tennessee. 

Susan Ames, daughter of ( 7 1 8 ) . She 
married Chas. W. Chapman, Esq., of N. 
York, in 1838. He was son to A. Chap- 
man, Esq., formerly of Southampton. 

Benjamin F. Ames, son of (718). 

Samuel F. Ames, son of (718). 

Wife of William Reed, originally 
from North Brookfield — from Amherst 
here. She with her husband (932), 
moved to Illinois, in 1845. William 
Reed's first wife, Mary F., died Nov., 
1834, aged 27 ; his second wife, Eme- 
line F., died April 1838, aged 20. 

Sarah E. Walker, daughter of (473). 

Lyman Sahin, son of (590). 

John Bowdoin, son of William Bow- 
doin, Esq., formerly of Ware. 



213 

Age. 



214 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1102. 



1102J. 



1103. 



1104. 
1105. 
1106. 

1108. 
1110. 

nil. 

1112, 



Names. 

Ruth Warner, widow of Alonzo 
Warner. 

Elizabeth, wife of Elijah Hanniim. 
This Elijah Hanniim is son of (794). 

1836. 

Sarah Dorman, daughter of (976). 
She died 

1837. 

Fro7n other Churches. 

Mrs. Cowles, from the church in 
Granby. 

Catherine {Smith), wife of Thomas 
M. Ferry, from the church in Granby. 

Emily Holland, daughter of (395). 
She married George Vining, Jr., of 
Plainfield, and removed to New Bed- 
ford, in 1845. 

"Wife of Andrew Howard, removed 
to Oakfield, Illinois, with her son 
(870). 

Mary C. Holland, daughtei' of (395)," 
married (1092), in 1840. 

Clarissa Stehhins, daughter of (430), 
married Henry Mather of SufHeld, in 
1851, and removed. 

Mary Howe, daughter of (431), mar- 



Deatha. Age. 



1837 



20 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. 

riecl Mr. Wells of Hartford, in 1845 
and removed. 



215 

Age. 



1113. 

1114. 
1115. 

1116. 

1117. 

1118. 

1119. 
1120. 
1121. 

11214. 
1123. 
1124. 



Mary Ann Thayer, daughter of Job 
Thayer, married Ambrose Dorman, son 
of (976). 

Eliza Burnett, daughter of (573). 

Almira Randall, daughter of (1054), 
married Philetus Kent. 

SetTi Walker, son of (635), removed 
to Illinois in 1845. 

Henry Howe, son of (431), removed 
to New Haven, Conn., in 1847. 

Charles Holland, son of Park Hol- 
land and Esther his wife (781). 

Ahner F. Towne, son of (353). 

Solomon H. Linncll. He died 

Margaret B. Smith, daughter of 
Giles Smith and Margaret his wife 
(581). 

Wright Bridgman, Jr., son of 
(302). 

Dwight Bascom, son of Nathan Bas- 
com and his wife (734). He died 

Wife of George W. Kellogg. He 
died in 1847, and she returned to Col- 
chester, Conn. 



1838 



1843 



38 



216 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Nuinl)3r8 Names. 

1125. James S. Aines, son of (718). 

1126. Malissa {Woods), wife of Moses 
Gooclale, daughter of Jonathan Woods, 
and sister of (533). 

1127. Caroline Kenfjield, widow of Joel 
Kentfield. 

1128. Dianthy SteUins, sister of (924), 
married Mr. Thatcher, of Lee, in 1845, 
and removed there. 

1129. Clarissa Washhurn, wife Henry 
Bridgman, and daughter of (790). 

11 29 J. Roxanna (JDunham), second w^ife of 
(462). Her first husband was (431) 

1839, 

1130. Mary G. (Bliss), second wife of 
Obed Smith ; her family name was 
Gunn, from Montague. 

1131. Mary (Raynolds), Avife of Dara 
Walker, from Hadlcy. 

1132. J. Addison Joy, \ 

1133. His wife, ) 
Came here by letter from New York 

City ; soon removed to Amherst, and 
from there removed back to New York. 

1134. Anna Reid, sister of Rev. Jared 
Reid, removed. 

1135. Elizabeth, wifeof Josiah W. Priest, 
from Erving. She died 



Deaths. Age 



1847 



CONGREGATION'AL CHUKCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 217 



Numbers. 

1136. 



1137. 

1138. 
1139. 
1140. 
1141. 
1142. 

1143. 

1144. 
1145. 



1146. 



Names. Deaths. Age- 

Dorcas Montague, widow of Jede- 
diah Montague, from the church in 
Hadley. Her husband died in Had- 
ley in 1824. She is the mother of 
Deacon Ephraim Montague (1022). 



Nancy (Bughee)^ wife of Lyman 
Rice, and daughter of (482). She 
died 

Louisa, wife of Josiah Walker, Jr., 
from the church in Palmer. 

Aaron Davis, died soon after unit- 
ing with the church. 

Clarissa, widow of Whipple Bishop, 
married Austin Billings. 

Sarah Montague, daughter of (1 136), 
from the church in Hadley. 

Mary (Hunt), second wife of (463), 
from the church in Bridgwater, State 
of New York. 

Ruth A., wife of Luther Shaw, from 
the church in Palmer. 

Ehenezer W. Towne, son of (258). 

Sophia (Hawkes), wife of (1144). 
They were from the church in Enfield 
to this church, and removed in 1842, 
to the Presbyterian church, in Batavia, 
Illinois. 

Che {Hawkes), mother of (1145), 
came and went with them. 
20 



1847 



33 



218 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1147. 



1148. 
1149. 

1150. 
1151. 
1152. 
1153. 



1154. 



1155. 



Names. Deaths. Age 

Jesse Williams, from the church, in 
East Douglass. 



Eunice, wife of Jesse "Williams, 
from the same. She died 

Esther Williams, daughter of 
(1147), married (969), in 1843, third 
wife, see (631). 

Sarah D. Nichols, daughter of Ja- 
cob Nichols. 

Elizaheth H. (Reed), second wife of 
(636). 

Arabella, wife of Asher To^vne, 
and daughter of William N. Moore. 

Emily {White), second wife of 
(739), and daughter of Reuben White, 
married Simeon Pepper, Nov. 9, 1826. 
Admitted to the Brainerd Church, 
October 4, 1838, at her house, being 
unable to go abroad. The church 
voted her admission. She died Jan- 
uary 6, 

Asahel Blodget, from the East 
church in Amherst to the Brainerd 
church, and with that church became 
a member of the united church, in 
1841. He died, October, 

Wife of (1154), came with her hus- 
band. Died 



1845 



1840 



1846 



1845 



49 



68 



CONGEEGATIOJs^AL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 219 



The folloioing list of persons, from Numbers 1156 to 
1213 inclusive, united with the Brainerd Church, hy 
jjrofession or hy letter from other Churches than the 
First Church in Belchertoivn, while the Brainerd 
Church had a separate existence, hetween August, 
1834, and September 1841. Most of the members of 
the Brainerd Church were from the First Church ; 
their names are on that list. All the following list, 
living among us at the time of the union of the two 



churches, August 
united church. 



31, 1841, became members of the 



Numbers. 

1156. 
1157. 



1158. 



1159. 

1160. 

1161. 
1162. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Deacon Elijah Amidon, \ 
Wife of (1156). ] 

Deacon Amidon came from Hard- 
wick to this place, in 1834. He was 
a deacon in the church at Hardwick, 
and after his removal here was chosen 
a deacon in the Brainerd church, and 
officiated in that church till the union 
of the two churches, in 1841, and then 
in the united church till he resigned 
his office in 1850. 

Mercy Amidon, daughter of (1156), 
married Luther W. Burt, of Long- 
meadow, November 10, 1842, and 
moved to that place and died soon 
after. 

Martha Amidon, daughter of (1156), 
died in this town, of consumption, Ju- 

ly, 

John A. Amidon, son of (1156) 
moved to Chicopee. 

Ann Bridgman, daughter of (550). 

Lemuel G. Bennett. 



1851 



30 



220 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1163. 
1164. 
1165. 

1167. 

1168. 



1169. 



1170. 



1171 



1172. 



1173. 



Names. 

First wife of Levi Burt, died 

Julia A. Bigelow. 

Wife of John M. Bartlett, from the 
church in Granby, moved away. 

Charles W, Carter^ son of Jacob 
Carter. 

Harriet Newell Cliamherlin, daugh- 
ter of William Chamberlin, died 
September 4, 

William Chamberlin was son of 
Walter Chamberlin. 

Frances Jane Clark, daughter of 
Eneas Clark and Prudence his wife 
(603). Frances Jane married Dwight 
Graves, Esq., in 1837, and removed 
her church relation to Sunderland, in 
1848. 

Betsey B. Dwight, daughter of 
(517) by his second wife (542). She 
married Simeon R. Dwight, son of 
(636), in 1840. 

Susan Dwight, daughter of (517). 
She died in South Hadley, of con- 
sumption, in 

Wife of Francis Dunbar, daughter 
of (933), moved to Perrington, State 
of New York, in 1839. 

Wife of Charles Dunbar, from the 
church in Perrington. 



Deatha. 

1838 



Age. 



1843 



1844 



23 



22 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 221 



Numbers. Names. 

Clara Dwight, daughter of (515). 

Delia DioigJit, daughter of (515), 
married Estes Sanford, son of Ichabod 
Sanford and wife (371), moved to 
Worcester. 

Sarah Lorane DooUttle^ daughter 
of (647) and wife (648). Sarah Lo- 
rane died of consumption, July 29, 

David Fisk. 

Irene (Howard,) second wife of 
(969), died 

She was daughter of Andrew How- 
ard and wife, and sister of (631). 

Second wife of John Filer, died in 
April, 

Electa D. Gates, daughter of Hor- 
ace Gates by his second wife (599J). 
Electa D., married Pliny H. White, 
Esq., of Wardsboro', Vt., May 11, 
1847, and removed there. They now 
(1851) reside in Brattleboro', Vt. He 
is in the practice of Law. 

Wife of Nath'l D. Goodale, daugh- 
ter of Asa Pease of Granby, and sister 
of Deacon Asa Pease of Granby. 

Charles H. Gilbert, son of (558), 
removed to the church in Plymouth 
Hollow, Conn., in April, 1843. 



20* 



Deaths. Age. 



1842 



1841 



1849 



18 



39 



53 



222 



HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 



Names. 



Deaths, Age. 



Lorenzo T. Howard, son of (933), 
removed to Perrington, State of New 
York. 

Sally Kendall, second wife of (453), 
from the cliiircli in Enfield. Her hus- 
band (453) died in 1841. She re- 
moved to Amherst in 1848. 

Moseley J. Kendall, son of Ruel 
Kendall, formerly of Ludlow. 

Maria Kendrick, removed to the 
church in Enfield, in Ajiril, 1842. 

Reman E. Moody, son of (634). 

Betsey G. Manly, married Mr. 
Bates of Southampton, and removed 
there in 1846. 

Juliann P. Moore, daughter of Wm. 
N. and Hannah Moore. Juliann died 
September 12, 

Mary Jane Maloy, died in August 

Ueed J. Owen, son of Leonard Owen, 
deceased, and grand-son of Capt. Elea- 
zer Owen. 



1843 
1842 



Martha Ann ( Whittlesey), wife of 
Rev. George A. Oviatt. She was 
from New Haven, Conn. She was a 
lineal descendant of Rev. Chauncey 
Whittlesey, formerly of New Haven, 
a graduate of Yale College in 1738. 
She died April 6, 

See sketch of her, page 50. 



26 



1846 



35 



CONGBEGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHERTOWN. 223 
nbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

Second wife of Artemas Owen. Slie 
was Susan Wright, sister of (1051). 
She was widow Scott when she mar- 
ried A. Owen. 

Almira Pepper, daughter of (739). 

Charlotte Pepper, daughter of (739). 
She married (1184), and removed to 
Perrington, State of New York, in 
1839. 

Sally Preston. 

Sophia Richardson, wife of Nathan- 
iel Richardson, moved to Windsor, 
Mass., in May, 1847. 

Louisa Richardson, daughter of 
Nathan Richardson and wife (1202), 
removed with her parents. 

Warren Reed, from the church in 
Chester, died 1840 59 

Wife of (1204). She died in North- 
ampton in 1844. (1204) and (1205) 
were parents of (1027.) 

Lucretia Shiimway, daughter of 
Elihu Shumway and wife (641). Lu- 
cretia married Thomas H. Moody and 
moved to Bernardston ; they now 
(1851) reside in Granby. 

Lydia Towne. 

Lucy A. Wright, daughter of 
(446|). She married Randal B. 



224 

Numbers. 

1210. 
1211. 

1212. 
1212J. 

1213. 



1214. 

1215. 

1216. 

1217. 
1218. 
1219. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 

Names. 

Blazedell, Nov., 1841, and removed to 
Newton, Mass. 

Mary Washburn, daughter of ( 790), 
died in May, 

Martha L. Washhurn, daughter of 
Charles Washburn, deceased. Charles 
was son of (790). Martha L., mar- 
ried (1221), January 22, 1845. 

Henry A. Wright, son of (446f ). 

Christiana {Hawes), wife of (1212), 
daughter of (453), and wife of (454). 

M?'s. James Whitman, Jr., wife of 

(897). 



Deaths. Age. 



1835 



1842. 



George T. Goodale, from the church 
in Amherst. 

Lemuel G. Lloyd, removed to the 
chui'ch in Pittsfield, in 1851. 

Lydia {Baggs), wife of (1231), and 
daughter of Henry Baggs. 

William G, Ruggles. 

Alanson D. Pepper, son of (739). 

Henry Starks. 



CONGKEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 225 

Numbers. Names. Deaths. Age. 

Charles L. Washburn, son of Chas. 
Washburn, deceased, and grand-son of 
(790). 

Jonathan R. Keith, son of Jonathan 
Keith. 

James S, Whitman, son of Marcus 

Whitman, and grand-son of (434). 

Delia (^Chandler), wife of Calvin 
Hitchcock, and daughter of Lemuel 
Chandler, from the church in Brim- 
field. 

Eusehia H., wife of Jonas Melville, 
from the church in Chicopee. 

Susan H. (Barloiv), wife of G. W. 
Aldrich, and daughter of Wyatt Bar- 
low. 

1843. 

Clarissa A. (King), wife of Solo- 
mon C. Shumway, and daughter of 
Dr. Rufus King, late of Ware, de- 
ceased. 

Pamelia (J^Tiw^), third wife of (739), 
and sister of (1226). 

Mala Cowles, son of (272). 

Hannah (Dorman), wife of (1228), 
and sister of (976). 

Elizabeth Bardwell. 



226 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1231. 
1232. 
1233. 
1234. 

1235. 
1236. 

1237. 

1238. 

1239. 

1240. 

1241. 
1242. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Rufus S. Lincoln, son of (378). 

Amasa Toivne, son of (878). 

Christopher C. Simons. 

Amos L. Mason, from the church in 
Palmer. 

Asahel H. Dorman, son of (976). 

Elizaheth Montague, daughter of 
(1136). 

Sojjhia (Burnett), wife of George C. 
Sanford, and daughter of (573). 

Balhsheha (Sanford), wife of (1243), 
and daughter of Ichabod Sanford and 
wife (371). 

Jane A. (Moody), wife of Harvey 
Montague. 



1844. 

Emily D. (Fuller), wife of A. L. 
Gates. She was from the church in 
Hebron, Conn. ; daughter of Erastu8 
Fuller. Esq., of Hebron. 

Mary, wife of George Chandler. 
She was from the church in Brimfield. 

Sarah A. (King), second wife of 
(1191), from the church in SufReld, 
Conn. ; daughter of Mr. Seth King, of 
Suffield, Conn. 



CONGIIEGATIONA.L CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 
Numbers. Names. Deaths 

1845. 

Addison Burnett, from the church 
in South Hadley ; son of Arza Bur- 
nett, of South Hadley ; his mother 
was Polly Moody, daughter of Seth 
Moody, formerly of South Hadley. 

William Freeman. 

Soj)Ma A. [Cook), wife of Harrison 
D. 13 wight. She was from Hadley ; 
daughter of David Cook. 

Moses Ames, son of (718). 

1846. 

Pamelia, widow of Warren Smith, 
from the church in Storrsville. 

Allen M. Mather, from the church 
in South Deerfield. 

Alonzo C. Blodget, from the church 
in South Hadley ; son of (1154). 

Maria {Smith), wife of (1287), and 
daughter of Sereno Smith, of Hadley. 

Martha A. Clancy, wife of Rev. 
John Clancy, from the church in 
Charlton, N. Y., and removed back 
there in 1849. 

Clarissa {Sikes), wife of Arba 
Cleveland, from the church in Chic- 
opee. 



227 

Age. 



228 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1252. 



1253. 



1254. 
1255. 



1256. 

1257. 
1258. 

1259. 

1260. 

1261. 
1262. 

1262J. 



Names. 

Achsah, wife of (1285), from the 
church in Palmer. 

Bulah, wife of (1283), from the 
church in Prescott. 

Lor en S. Allen, ) 

Sarah (Mather), his wdfe, ) 
From the church in Whately. 

1849. 

Delia {D wight), wife of Lyman L. 
Smith. She was the daughter of 
Henjy Dwight, who died in this town 
in 1841 ; he was son to 197. 

William L. Montague, son of 
(1022). 

Mary J. Hannicm, daughter of 
(1063J). She married John Reynolds, 
of Hadley, in 1851. 

Julia A. Randall, daughter of 
(1054). 

Rosetta, wife of Caleb Walker, Jr., 
from the church in Stafford, Conn. 

Jonathan B. Woods, son of (534). 

Harriet N. {Rohinson), wife of 
(1261). She was from Plainfield. 

Edwin Cowles, son of (1228), re- 
moved to Prescott, in 1849. 



Deaths. Age 



CONGREGATIONAL CnURCII IN BELCHERTOWN. 229 
Humbera. Names. Deaths. Ag». 

1849. 



1263. 



1264. 



1265. 



1266. 



1267. 



1268. 



1269. 
1270. 
1271. 



1272. 



Maria, wife of Renselaer W. Walk- 
er, from the church in Northampton. 
He is son of (410). 

DorofJnj P., second wife of (1147), 
from the church in Chicopee. 

Harriet A. {Pope), wife of Rev. 
Samuel Wolcott, from the church in 
Longmeadow ; daughter of Jonathan 
A. Pope, Esq., of Norwich, Conn. 

1850. 

Myron Laiorence, son of William 
Lawrence, of Middlebury, Vt., and a 
graduate of Middlebury College in 
1820 ; a lawyer by profession. 

Charles L. Warner, son of Alonzo 
Warner, deceased, grand-son of Titus 
Warner, and great-grand-son, of (180), 
which see. 

PMla A., wife of (1074). He is 
son of (474). 



rait, \ 
lit, \ 
lit, ) 



Fanny M. Pratt, 
Caroline Pratt, 
Mary S. Pratt, 
Daughters of Elihu Pratt, and sis- 
ters of (1276). 



Emily S. Toione, daughter of (878). 
She married Samuel D. Cowles, son 
(727), Sept. 10, 1851. 
21 



230 



HISTOmCAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1273. 



1274. 
1275. 

1276. 

1277. 

1278. 
1279. 

1280. 

1281. 
1282. 

1283. 
1284. 
1285. 



Names. Deaths. Age 

Sarah T. D. Lawrence, daughter of 
(1266). 

Sarah Walker, daughter of (474). 

Sophia D. Laivrence, daughter of 
(1266). 

James H. Pratt, son of Elihu Pratt. 
Elihu is the son of Capt. David Pratt, 
who died in this town, Sept., 1806, 
aged 66. 

Edicard P. Blodgett, son of (1249). 

Mary E. Allen, daughter of (033). 



Esther H. Allen, second wife of 
(954), from the church in Heath. 



Josiah Cowlcs, son of (272), died 

See Appendix M. 

Betsey Smith, wife of (1280). 

Jerusha (Dicight), wife of Lemuel 
Randall. She was the daughter of Sam- 
uel D wight, who was brother of (197). 

Roswell Allen. 

Orren Walker, son of (256). 

Amos Shaw, son of Solomon Shaw, 
formerly of Palmer. 



1851 



COXGIIEGATIONA.L CHURCH IN BELCHERTOAVN. 231 



1850 



3H 



Natnhers. Names. Deaths. Ag«. 

1286. Mary C. {Stehhins), wife of Jonas 
Holland, and daughter of (724). 
Jonas Holland is son of Jonas and Su- 
sanna (305). 

1287. Francis Forward, son of (731). 

1288. Freeman Alden, son of Daniel Al- 
den. 

1289. Harriet (Root), wife of (1288), 
daughter of (51 1), and sister of ( 1030). 
She died 

1290. Marcia {Jepson), wife of (1055). 

1291. Eli'-iaheth, widow of Asahel Shum- 
way. 



1292. Alfred 11. Hill. 

1293. Ely W. Stehhins, son of (724) and 
wife (850). 

1294. Ardelia {CoicJes), wife of (1293), 
and daughter of (1280). 

1295. Sophronia (Thomson) wife of "War- 
ner Pratt. 

1296. Eliza, widow of James Howe. 

1297. Sarah J. (Shumway), wife of Albert 
A. Atwood, and daughter of Solomon 
C. Shumway. 

1298. Thomas Alden, son of Daniel Alden. 



232 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Numbers. 

1299. 



1300. 

1301. 

1302. 
1303. 

1304. 

1305. 

1306. 

1307. 
1303. 
1309. 

1310. 
1311. 

1312. 



Juliann (Walker), wife of (1298), 
and daughter of (427). 

Caroline (Alden), daughter of Dan- 
iel Alden. 

Alo7izo D. Randall, son of Lemuel 
Randall. 

Sophia Hawes, daughter of (468). 

Julia A. M. Bartlett, daughter of 
(1025). 

Kate E. Kellogg, dauo:hter of Jo- 
seph Kellogg and wife (104i7). 

Mary J. Shumway, daughter of 
(1028). 

David B. D wight, son of John 
D wight. 

Piatt T. Slaughter. 

Charles L. Randall. 

Russell S Underwood, son of Rus- 
sell Underwood and wife, Flavia S., 
(1356). 

Juiiett Stehhins, daughter of (745). 

Eliza C. King, daughter of Rufus 
King. 

Cordelia S. Shuimcay, daughter of 
(1028). 



Deaths. As* 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 233 



Numbers. 

1313. 
1314. 
1315. 
1316. 



1317. 
1318. 

1319. 
1320. 
1321. 

1322. 
1323. 
1324. 
1325. 

1326. 
1327. 



Names. Deaths. Age. 

Williams W. Cowles, son of (727). 

Edward F. Towjie, son of (878). 

Edson M. Walker, son of (1284). 

Solomon Slmmway, son of Solomon 
C. Shumway. Solomon C. was son of 
Solomon Shumway, who died in this 
town in April, 1819, aged 39. He 
was son of (730). 

Gilbert E. Walker, son of (1284). 

William J. Holland, son of Jonas 
Holland and wife (1286). 

Chester Randall, Jr., son of (1054). 

Emery P. Walker, son of (474). 

Clara A, Dwight, daughtsr of Hen- 
ry Dwight, deceased, and grand- 
daughter of (197). 

Sarah E. Toimie, daughter of (878). 

George M. Ahbey, son of (656). 

Eliza M. Woods, daughter of (534). 

Mary J. Lincoln, daughter of Enos 
Lincoln, Jr., and grand-daughter of 
(378). 

Mary E. Xeac/i, daughter of (1055). 

Juliette E. Walker, daughter of 
(1284). 

21* 



234 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Nambera. 

1328. 



1329. 

1330. 

1331. 
1332. 

1333. 

1334. 
1335. 

1336. 
1337. 
1338. 
1339. 
1340. 



Naiiipa. 

Harriet A. Alley, daughter of 
(6oG). 



Deaths. Age. 



Emeline Randall , 
(1054). 



daughter 



of 



Mary R. 
(1284). 



Walker, daughter of 



Edwin J. Nichols, son of (767). 

Bii'ighl P. CJapp, son of James H. 
Clapp, and his wife (780). 

Phele (Parsons), second wife of 
(656). She was Irom Northampton ; 
daughter of Elisha Parsons, deceased. 

Liicinda M., wife of Ptufus King, 
from the church in Ware. 

Elisha Pratt, son of Capt. David 
Pratt, formerly of this town. He 
died here in 1806, aged 66. 

Lyman Rice, son of Horatio Rice, 
and gand-son of (286). 

Sophronia D. Bartlett, daughter of 
(1025). 



Maria Alden, daughter of Daniel 
Alden. 



Fanny E. Randall, daughter of 
Lemuel Randall. 

Polly R. Walker, daughter of (473), 



I 



Numbers. 

1341. 
1342. 
1343. 

1344. 

1345. 

1346. 

1347. 

1348. 

1349. 
1350. 
1351. 



1352. 
1353, 



1354. 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 235 
Names. Deaths. Age. 



Elizabeth Owen, daughter of (651^. 

Martha A. Shaw, daughter of (1285). 

'Mary M. Blodgett, daughter of 
(1249;. 

Martha M. Dickinson, daughter of 
Franklin Dickinson. 

Horatio Holland, son of Jonas Hol- 
land and wife (1286). 

Clarissa F. Woods, daughter of 
(534). 

Cynthia C, wife of Howard Up- 
ham. 

Sophia (Rice), wife (1336). She 
was from Springfield, daughter of 
Rice. 



Sarah A., wife of (1267). 

Ellen M. Marsh, daughter of (775). 

Everett W. Walkrr, son of Samuel 
Walker of Springfield, and grand-son 
of (317). 

Mary Warner, ) 

Ellen Warner, ) 

Daughters of Alonzo Warner, de- 
ceased, and great-grand-daughters of 
(180). 

Fanny W. {Pease), wife of Asa M. 



236 

Numbers 

1355. 
1356. 

1357. 
1358. 

1359. 
1360. 
1361. 

1362. 

1363. 
1364. 



1365. 

1366. 
1367. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES, &C. 
Names. 

Walker, dan<Thter of Asa Pease of 
Granby, and sister of (1182). 

Silence S. Walker, daughter of 
(473). 

Flavia S., widow of Russell Under 
wood, late of Granby. She was 
daughter of Benjamin Stebbins, and 
grand-daughter of (129). 

E>iza M. WiUey, from Granby. 

Ephraim B. Hitchcock, from Wil- 
braham. 

Jesse M. Williams, son of (1147). 

Emily X, wife of (1359). 

Rebecca JV., widow of Solomon 
Shaw, late of Palmer. 

Lucinda, third wife of Ashley Hol- 
land, from Whatcly. 

Eunice Smith, from Uxbridge. 

Jason S. DwiglU, from So. Had- 
ley, son of John Dwight. 

Margaret O., wife of (1364). 

Susan M. Woods, ) 
Lucy C. Woods, ) 
Daughters of (799) and wife (998). 



Deathg. Age. 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF NAMES 



OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN COMMUNICANTS IN TIIB 

CONGKEGATIONAIi CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN, 

FKOM 1737 TO 1851, WITH THEIR NUMBERS. 



Henry Abbey, 529 

Mary" Abbey, 618 

Elisha Abbey and wife, 6 55 944 

1072^ 
George Abbey & wives, 656 1037 

133;i 
Laura Abbey, 817 
Lucretia Abbej^, 888 
Jairus Abbott and wife 741 742 
Chester Allen and wife, 469 343 
Abram Allen and wife, 633 709 
Henry P. Allen, 1073 
Joan M. Allen, 1079 
R »bert Ames' wife, 336 - 
Gideon Ames and wife, 728 646 
Abel Ames and wife, 718 653 
Sarahs. Ames, 1057 
Harriet M. Ames, 1088 
Mary Ames, 1094 
James Ames, 1125 
Benjamin F. Ames, 1096 
Saniuel F. Ames, 1097 
Susan Ames 1095 
Stephen Andrews, 855 
Josjph Angier & wife, 359 360 
Anna Angier, 545 
Patty Angier, 546 
David K. Angier, 776 
John Atwood's wife, 706 
Ekanah Atwood's wife, 575 
Betsey At wood, 702 
William Atwood's wife, 1041 



Jedediah Ayres & wife, 152 153 
George MAbbev, 1323 
Harriet A. Abbev, 1328 
Maria Alden, 1338 
Thomas Alden & wife, 1298 1299 
Freeman Alden and wife 1288 

1289 
Caroline Alden, 1300 
Roswell Allen, 1283 
William Albro, 663 
Clark Albro and wife, 664 844 
Loreii S. Allen and wife, 1254 

1255 
Mary E. Allen, 1278 
Esther H. Allen, 1279 
Elijah Amidon & wiie, 1 156 1157 
Mercy Amidon, 1158 
Martha Amidon, 1159 
John A. Amidon, 1160 
Moses Ames, 1248 
G. W^ Aldrich's wife, 1225 
Albert A. Atwood's w^fe, 1297 

Hannab Bakeman, 818 

Phebe Bagg.s 277 

Sarah Baker, 654^ 

Ebenezer Barber and wives, 864 

865 1021 
Joseph Bard well, and wife, 66 67 
Violet Bardwell, widow, 68 
Martin Bardwell & wife, 418 126 
J. Bardwell, Jr., & wife 233 162 



238 



niSTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Elijah Bard well and wife 182 IS 3 
H. Bardwell's wife, 225 
Haddassa BardAvell, 303 
Electa Bardwell, 304 
Martin Bardwell, Jr.'s wife, 417 
Catherine liardwell, 4So 
Nancy Bardwell, 501 
Oronial Bardwell, 678 
Clarinda Bardwell, G05 
Mary Bardwell, 096 
Betsey Bardwell, widow, 715 
Jonathan Bardwell, 753 
Sophronia Bardwell, 917 
Elizabeth Bardwell, 1230 
Nathan Barnaby and wife 348 

349 
Horace Barnaby, 768 
Sophronia D. Bartlett, 1337 
Julia A. M. Bartlett, 1303 
Cyrus Bartlett and witV, 601 602 
David Bartlett's wife, 857 
Cyrus S. Bartlett, 968 
Joab Bartlett and wife, 1025 1026 
Louisa Bartlett, 967 
Ann E. Bartlett, 966 
Nathan Bascom's wife, 734 
D wight Bascom, 1123 
lleuben Barton's wife, 168 
Samuel Belknap and wife, 94 95 
Jonas N. Belknap ^: wile 227 228 
Benjamin Billings iS: wife, 64 65 
Josejih Billings iN: Avife, 102 103 
Benjamin Billings' wife, 275 
Elenear ..illings, 765 
Eiisha Billings' wife, 777 
Bcnj. Billings & wife. 793 793.^ 
VV. i3icknell \; wi\'e3 299 300 367 
Whipple Bishop's widow, 1140 
Reuben Blackmt-r's Avile, 766 
William Bliss' wife, 173 
Esther Bliss, 8^5 
Timothy Bliss' wife, 713 
Asahel i3!odget.^ wife, 1154 1155 
Abner Blodget .S: wife, 384 346 
Mary M. Bloager, 1343 
Susan Blodirct, 758 
Alonzo C. lilodget, 1249 
Margaret M. Blodget, 1043 
Edward P. Blodget, 1277 



Seldcn Borden, 770 
JohnBowdoin, 1101 
Noah Bowker and wife, 79 80 
EbenezerBridgman & wife, 14 15 
Joseph Bridgman & wife, 16 17 
Jos. Bridgman& wife, 200 156 
Oliver Britlgman & wife, 187 324 
O. Bridgman & wives,723 563 845 
Jos. Briilgnian, Jr.'s wife, 440 
Wright Bridgman, 302 
Theodore Bridgman & wives, 550 

3j:6 504 50'2 
Sally Bridgman, 339 
Ebenczer liridgmau & wife, 408 

391 
Jonathan Bridgman, 411 
Vrm. Bridgman & wife, 457 458 
Ilcnrv A. lindgman ic wife, 460 

8"'74 ■ 
Elijah C. Bridgman, 461 
Mary Bridgman, 494 
Sarah Bridgman, 1033 
Lucretia Bridgman, 889 
Theodore Bridgman, Jr., & wife, 

667 1045 
Sophia Bridgman, 858 
Mary Bi-idgman, 549 
Wright Bridgman, Jr., & wife, 

'^1121.^ 924 
AnnE Bridgman, 988 
Nancy Bridyman, 989 
Joseph Bridgman, Jr., 995 
Mary Bridgman, 1001 
Henry Bridgmau's wife, 1129 
Thomas Brown and Avife, 46 47 
Jemima Brown, 614 
Elijah Brown, 910 
Thomas Brow n and wife, 451 452 
Samuel Brown and wife, 937 930 
Daniel Brown, 952 
Nancy Bugbec, 1137 
Nehemiah Bugbce, 432 wife 486 
Mary Ann Bugbee, 927 
Diana Burge, 760 
Enoch Burnett and wife, 573 574 
Stephen Burnett & wife, 598 599 
riiiletus VV. Burnett and wife, 

972 973 
Eliza Burnett, 1114 



CONGEEGATIONAL CHUECII IN BELCnEETOWK. 239 



Addison Burnett and wife, 1243 

1238 
Freeman Burr, 296 
Elizabeth Buxton, 429- 
Wm Buxton's wife, 415 
Susan Buxton, 761 
Ann liridi^man, 1161 
Lemuel G. Bennett, 1162 
Mrs. Levi Burt, 1163 
Julia A. Bigelow, 1164 
Mrs. John M. Bartlett, 1165 
Catherine Bugbee, 1013 

Josiah Carrier, 111 

Philip Carrier, 112 

Benj. Carrier's wife, 119 

Thomas Chapin and wife, 48 49 

Thankful Chapin, 50 

Lydia Chajnn, 51 

Thomas Chapin, Jr.'s wife 82 

Thomas Chapin, 244 

Lebbeus Chapin, 725 

Laura Chapin, 812 

Lemira Ann Chapin, 941 

Sylva Chapin, 1020 

Elijah Chapin, 946 

Stephen Chandler .'t wife.^Sl 832 

Throap Chapman & wife 210 211 

Samuel Cliapman ^; wife, 365 oi5'6 

George Chandler's wife, 1241 

Elihu Chapman's Avife, 710y 

Enos Chase and wife, 432 571 

Timothy Chase's wife, 300 

Dexter Chase, 872 

Susanna Church, 699 

Martha A. Clancey, 1250^ 

John Church's wi^e, 710 

Jamei H. Clapp's wife, 780 

Esther Clark, 413 

Caleb Clark and wife, 154 155 

Lydia J. Clark, 710:i 

Joshua Clark, 392 

Jane Clark, 414 

Charity Clark, widow, 717 

Caleb Clark, 754 

Samuel Clark and wife, 840 847 

Submit Clark, 415 

Eneai Clark's wife, G03 

Mala Cowles & wife, 1228 1229 



Josiah Cowles, & wife, 1280 1281 
Ardelia Cowles, 1294 
Abel Clough, 264 
Amasa Clough and Avife, 208 209 
Noah Clark, 665 
Hannah Cleveland, widow, 552 
Joseph Colburn & wife, 297 298 
John Clougli & wife, 590 597 
Kev. L. Coleman's wife, 919 
MarvColton, 611 
David Converse & wife, 203 204 
Ephraim Converse's wife, 544 
Keuben Coats' wife, 220 
Sylvester Cook, 669 
Permelia Cook, 811 
ISIary Cowles widow, 53 
Nathan Cowles and wife, 54 55 
Israel Cowles and wife, 56 57 
Moses Cowles and wife, 137 138 
John Cowles and wife, 85 86 
Israel Cowles, Jr.'s widow, 212 
John Cowles, Jr., & wife, 191 192 
Josiah Cowles, 272 
Abner Cowles' wife, 332 
Joshua Cov.des and Avifc, 341 342 
Amasa Cowles and wife, 436 437 
Enos Cowles and wile, 481 441 
Remember J. Cowles, 483 
Ethan S. Cowles' wife, 608 
Israel Cowles and wife, 727 898 
Semantha Cowles, 824 
Luther Cowles, 871 
Minerva Cowles, 905 
Edwin Cowles, 1262.:! 
Harriet CoAvles, 1016 
Armina Cowles, 1084 
Tertius Cowles, 1091 
Williams W. Cowles, 1313 
Mrs. Cowles, 1104 
Stephen Crowfoot & wife, 71 72 
Ebenezer Crowfoot's widow, 110 
Charles W. Carter, 1167 
Harriet N. Chamberlin 1168 
Frances J. Clark, 1169 
Dwighl P. Clapp, 1332 

Stephen Darling's wife, 177 

Samuel Davis, 226 

Levi Davis and wife, 743 744 



240 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OP THE 



Joel Davis, 771 

Aaron Davis' Avidow, 807 

Aaron Davis' Avil'e, 823 

John Dnvis, 1032 

Aaron Davis, 1139 

Joseph Davenport and wife, 785 

786 
Timothv Dimmick, 803 
DrucUla Day, 612 
Samuel Daugherty and wife, 

503 510 
Caroline Daugherty, 904 
Eliza Dodge, 424 * 
Zebulon Dodge's wife, 920 
Salome T. Dodge, 951 
Mark Doolittle and wives, 647 

555 648 
Lucv M. Doolittle, 982 
Betsey M. DoDlittle, 1080.^ 
Martin Domer's wiic, 81 
Roderick Dorman & wife 970 610 
Sally Dorman, 732 
Cornelia Dorman, 108 
Sarah Dorman, 1103 
Robert Dunbar's wife, 388 
Charles Dunbar & wife, 801 5G7 
Ama^a Dunton aird wife, 582 583 
Lois Dunton, 496 
Stephen Dunbar, 896 
Francis Dunbar, 1007 
Louisa Dunbar, 837 
Roxana Dunham 11 29.^ 
Marilla Dunton, 497 
Chauncev Dunton, 621 
Nathaniel F. Dunton, 622 
Samuel Dunton, 808 
Martha M. Dickinson 1344 
Sarah Lorane Doolittle, 1176 
Asahcl II. Dorman, 1235 
Francis Dunbar's wife, 1172 
Charles Dunbar's wife, 1173 
Betsey B. Dwight, 1170 
Su;ian Dwight, 1171 
Clara Dwight, 1174 
Delia Dwight, 1175 
Nathaniel Dwight, and wife 42 43 
riiny Dwight's wife, 196 
Ilcnrv Dwight and wile, 107 198 
Elijah Dwight and wife, 215 216 



Clairssa Dwight, 273 

Nancy Dwight, 321 

Susan Dwight, 376 

Simeon Dwight and wives, 636 

421 1151 
Lydia Dwight, 443 
Jonathan Dwight and wife, 455 

456 
Nath'l Dwight & wife, 515 516 
Justus Dwight Jr. & wives 517 

518 542 
Clarissa Dwight, 548 
Peregrine Dwight, o79 
Nancy Dwight, 692 
Joseph II. U wight, 766 
Emily Dwight, 914 
Asahel Dwight, 800 
Harrison D. Dwight's wife, 1245 
Sarah Dwight, 950 
Eldad P. Dwight, 1010 
Eliza Dwight, 1017 
Mary Dwight, 1018 
Mary Rice Dwight, 1019 
Delia Dwight 1256 
David B. Dwight, 1306 
Clara A. Dwight, 1321 
Jason L. Dwight, & wife 1364 

1235 

Marson Eaton's widow, 176 
Robert Emmons 285 

David Fairbanks & wife, 637 572 

Mary Fairbanks, 902 

Walter Fairtield and wife, 21 22 

Stephen Fairfield and wife, 23 24 

Mary Fairlield, 101 

Thaddeus Fairfield and wife, 148 

149 
Amasa Fairfiehl, & wife, 397 398 
Silas Farrington, G75 
Polly Farrington, 733 
Amos Farrington & wife, 735 736 
Varney Fellows, 553 
Gurdon File 's wife, 380 
John Filer's wife 1180 
Humphrey T. Filer's wife, 1024 
Barnabas Fay, 206 
Thomas M. Ferry's wife, 1105 



COI^GEEGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHEETOWN. 241 



<?: 



.Jacob Finley and wives, 969 631 

114:9 1179 
Almira Fisher, 628 
David Fisk, 1178 
Joseph Fisher, 234 
Salem Fisher, 538 
Aldana Fisher, 539 
Kev. Justus Forward's wife, 122 
Justus Forward Jr. and wife, 

731 325 
Eunice Forward, 389 
George Forward's wife, 830 
Nancy Forward, 867 
Caroline Forward, 868 
Mary Ford, 69 1 
Emery B. Foster, 1093 
Dorcas Freeman, 819 
John Freeman's wife, 822 
Abel Fuller, 755 
Josiah Fox and wife, 556 557 
William Freeman, 1244 
Francis Forward & wife, 1287 

1250 

Emily D. Gates, 1240 
Electa D. Gates, 1181 
Nathaniel D.Goodale's wife, 11 82 
Thomas A. Gates' wife, 232 

orace Gates' wives, 599^ 926 
John Gilbert and wife, 319^ 319| 
Samuel Gilbert 399 
George Gilbert & wife, 558 559 
Mary M. Gilbert, 1 005 
Wareham C. Gilbert, 1034 
Hiram Gilbert, 1085 
George W. Gilbert, 1089 
Charles H. Gilbert, 1183 
Maria Gillett, 1068 
Harriet Gillett 1081 
Nathaniel Goodell's wife, 214 
Moses Goodale & wife. 640 1126 
George T. Goodale 1214 
Thomas Goodale's vrife, 662 
Elizabeth Goodale, 1061 
Jonathan Graves and wife, 12 13 
Thomas Graves & wife, 60 61 
John Graves, 62 
Lydia Graves 63 493 
Joseph Graves' wife, 131 

22 



Electa Graves, 253 

Perez Graves, 259 

Susanna Graves, 267 

Josiah D. Graves & wife, 459 338 

Sarah Graves, widow, 419 

Joseph Graves & wife,459i 859 

Mary Ann Graves, 883 

Penelope Graves, 884 

Chester Gray, 806 

Jeremiah Gray and vdfe, 820 842 

Lydia Gray, 1 060 

Joel Green's wife, 213 

Jedediah Green's wife, 368 

Lucy Hamilton, 543 
Martha Hamilton, widow, 923 
Mary Hannum, widow, 26 
Samuel Hannum and wife, 27 28 
Moses Hannum and wife, 29 30 

and 549^ 549:1 
Aaron Hannum and wife, 31 32 
Gideon Hannum, 33 
Eunice Hannum, 207 
Solomon Hannum & wife,2l7 218 
Mary Hannum, 219 
Abia Hannum, 466 
Oliver Hannum, 520 
Gamaliel Hannum, 521 
Mercy M. Hannum, 522 
Stiles Hannum and wife, 1063^ 

10631 
Mary Hannum, widow, 716 
Phineas Hannum & wife, 737 738 
Daniel Hannum, 757 
Elijah Hannum and wife, 794 

795, 1102^ wife of Elijah 

Hannum, 2d. 
Mary Hannum, 1044 
Adaline Hannum 1 045 
Mary J. Hannum, 1258 
Amanda Hannum, 1072 
Judith Hatch, 422 
Harris Hatch and wife, 381 382 
PoUy Hatch, 401 
Herman Hawes & wives, 453 454 

1185 
John Hawes and wife, 468 638 
Harvey Hawes and wife 975 821 
George Hawes, 996 



242 



HISTOBICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Sophia Hawes, 1302 

Nancy Ilawe'*, 1604 

Leavett Havens & wife, 386 387 

Cloe Hawkes, 1146 

Benjamin Haynes' wife, 310 

Luther Holland and wives, 395 

396 416 
Alfred H. Hill, 1292 
Calvin Hitchcock's wife, 1223 
Ephraim Hitchcock, 1358 
HarrisonHolland ^^ Avife, 479 480 
Jonas Holland's wife, 305 
Jonas Holland's wife, 1286 
Dr. William Holland and wives, 

334 335 442 
Nelson Hol]and,931 
Sophia Holland, 591 
Maria Holland, 592 
WiDiam Holland, 620 
Park Holland's wife, 7Sl 
Ge-'rge Holland, 912 
Caroline Holland, 1002 
Mary Holland, 1003 
Ashlev Holland and wives, 884^ 

1362 1040 
Luther Holland, Jr , 1056 
Emily Holland, 1106 
Mary C.Holland, 1110 
William J Holland, 1318 
Charles Holland 1118 
Horatio Holland, 1345 
Diana Howard, 507 
Sally Howard, 508 
Clarissa Howard (609) also (631) 
And'w Howard & wife 691^ 1108 
Chauncey Howard, 729 
Haddassa Howard, 798 
Lorenzo T. Howard, 1184 
Hansom Howard and wife, 826 

1083 
Solomon B. Howard, 870 & wife 
Ansel Howard & wife 933 934 ' 
Ansel H. HoAvard, 935 
Harriet A. Howard, 936 
Theodotia Howard, 971 
Naomi T. H.ward, 1039 
Elijah Howe and wives, 135 136 

170 
Mary Howe, 1112, 



Henrv Howe, 1117 
Eli/a'Howe 1296 
Sylvanus Howe's wife, 151 
Dr. Estes Howe's wile, 199 
Benj. Howe and wife, 431 494 
Harriett Howe, 489 
Silas W. Howe, 783 
Betsey Howe, 1062 
John Hunt's wife, 708 
Amanda Hunt, li06 
Abner Hunt and wife, 294 295 
William W. Hunt, 465 
John Hunt 3d, 484 
Rebeckah Hunt, 499 
John Hvdes widow, 404 
John Hyde, 772 

Samuel Ingalls, 513 
Clarissa Ingalls, 514 
Willis Ingalls, 568 
Sally IngaUs, 861 

Col. Jones' wife, 600 

J. Addison Jov and wife, 1132 

1133 
Mercia Jepson, 1290 

Moseley J. Kendall, 1188 

Maria Kendrick 1190 

Lydia M. Keith, 965 

Louisa Kellogg, 875 

Eliza Kellogg, 1047 

Joseph Kenneday and wives, 720 

450 444 
Eliza Kenneday, 990 
Salmon Kentfield's wife 123 
VVm. Kenttield and wife, 140 141 
Ilufus Kentfield, 255 
W^idow Mary Kentfield, 184 
David Kentfield and wife, 290 

:^91 
Josiah Kentfield's widow, 866^ 
Eliza C. King, 1311 
Jonathan K. Keith and wife, 1221 

1211 
Triphena Kentfield, 495 
Caroline Kentfield, 1127 
Benj. Kilbourn & wife, 405 406 
Moses Kilbourn's wife, 447 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 243 



Frederick Kilner & wife 916 852 

Joanna Kimball, 698 

Henry K. Knapp, 625 

Samuel Knight & wife, 834 835 

Kate E. Kellogg, 1304 

Rufus King's wife, 1334 

G. W. Kellogg's wife, 1124 

Melintha Leach, 915 

Jefferson Leach, 1055 

Luke Leach, 1069 

Mary E. Leach, 1326 

Eunice Leach, 700 

Submit Lewis, 236 

David Lewis & wife, 1077 1020 

Enos Lincoln and wife, 378 379 

Densey Lincoln, 705 

Solomon Lincoln, 768^ 

Solomon H. Linnell, 1120 

Lemuel G Lloyd, 1215 

Ann Livermore, 1012 

Jonathan Lumbard's wife, 122| 

John Lombard's wife, S6 

Aaron Lyman and wife, 3 4 

Josiah Lyman and wife, 121 90 

Aaron Lyman, 230 

Sophia Lyman, 231 

Giles Lyman and wife 249 319 

Jonathan Lyman, 261 

John Lemons wife, 654 

Samuel Lemon and wife, 425 426 

Lydia Lemon, 561 

Rufus S. Lincoln and wife 1231 

1216 
Mary J. Lincoln, 1325 
Myron Lawrence, 1266 wife 548 
Sarah T D. Lawrence, 1273 
Sophia D. Lawrence, 1275 

Allen M. Mather, 1248 

Chloe .Vlahulan, 268 

Daniel Marsh, 775 

Estes Marsh, 676 

Prudence Marsh, 547 

John C. Marsh, 862 

Solomon Marsh, 974 

Esther Marsh, wid. 1011 & 1071 

Ellen M. Marsh, 1350 

Philander Marsh, 1008 

Esther Marsh, 1071 



John Marshall and wife 374, 375 
Jno. Marshall, Jr., 485, wife, 490 
Betsey Marshall, 506 
Eliza Marshall, 542 
Betsey L. Marshall, 1064 
Edward Marshall, 1075 
Henry Mellen's wife, 566 
Dexter Mellen's wife, 796 
Hannah Melvin, 265 
Eli Millard's wife, 402 
Elizabeth Millard, 891 
Harriet Millard, 964 
Ephraim Montague and wife, 

1022, 1023 
Dorcas Montague, 1136 
Sarah Montague, 1141 
Elizabeth Montague, 1236 
Joanna Moody, 117 
Jerusha Moody, 118 
Ebenezer Moody and wives, 120, 

121, 169 
Elijah Moody and wife, 144, 145 
Heman Moody and wife, 634, 827 
Festus Moody, 1031 
Josiah Moody and wife, 848, 849 
Anson Moody and wife, 879, 880 
Emily S. Moore, 900 
Benjamin Morgan, 52, wife, 161, 

son's wife, 355 
Edward Morris and wife, 804, 805 
Heman E. Moody and wife, 1191, 

2d wile, 1242 
Juliann Moore, 1 1 9 3 
Mary Jane Maloy, 1194 
Elizabeth Morse, 333 
Alvan Morse and wife, 681, 519 
Amos C. Morse and wife, 837, 838 
Clarissa Morse, 1060^ 
Ephraim Marsh's widow, 895 
Jonas Melvill's wife, 1224 
Amos L. Mason, 1234 
Harvey Montague's wife, 1239 
William L. Montague, 1257 
Betsey G. Manly, 1192 

Francis Newton and wife, 97, 98 
Stephen Newton's wives, 134,281 
Asa Mewton and wiie, 142, 143 
Elijah Nichols and wife, 344, 345 
Mary Nichols, 487 



244 



HISTOKICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Sally Nichols, 522^ and also 833 
Lucy Nichols, 532 
Lydia Nichols, 682 
James Nichols and wile, 767,1042 
Anna Nichols, 876 
Sarah D. Nichols, 1150 
Edwin J. Nichols, 1331 
George Nye and wife, 925, 899 

Elizabeth Owen, 1341 

Ralph Owen and wife, 651, 652 

Eleazer Owen, Jr. 774 

A. lialph Owen, 960 

Elvira Owen, 961 

Frances Owen, 962 

Artemas Owen's wives, 1051, 2d 

wife 1198 
Nancy Owen, 1000 
Reed J. Owen, 1196 
Mrs. M. A. Oviatt, 1197 



EHjah Parker, 133 

Roxana Parker, 185 

Tabitha Parker, 190 

Charles W. Parker, 784 

Philo Parsons' wife, 595 

Nathan Parsons and wife, 38, 69 

Eldad Parsons and wile, 223, 224 

Oliver Parsons, 250 

Rock Parsons, 472 

Malissa Parsons, 503 

Horatio A. Parsons, 569 

John M. Pearl and wile, 372, 373 

Betsey Pearl, 560 

Augustine Payne and wife, 579, 

579i 
Lemuel Payne's wife, 333 
Harriet Parker, 886 
Experience Parsons, 704 
Hazo Parsons' wife, 707 
Gould Parsons, 719 
Timothy Pearl and wife, 649, 650 
Samuel H. Peckham, 654 J 
Almira Pepper, 1199 
Simeon Pepper & wives, 739, 740, 

1153, 1227 
Cha'lotte Pepper, 1200 
Paul Pettingaie's wife, 446i 



Jemima Preston, 593, 

Samuel H. Pre&ton and wife, 749 

750 
Sally Preston, 1201 
Alanson D Pepper, 1218 
Josei)h Phelps and wife, 34, 35 
EHakim Phelps and wife, 36, 37 
Abigail Phelps, 89 
Joseph Phelps, Jr.'s wife, 106 
Aaron Phelps and wife, 115, 116 
William Phelps, 166 
Eliakim Phelps and wife, 222,193 
Abner Phelps, 340 
Deborah Phelps, 363 
Dudley Phelps and wife, 470, 377 
Dudley Phelps, 2d, 471 
Daniel Phelps and wile, 462, 836 

2d wife, 1129i 
William Phelps and wife, 463, 

712, 2dA^ife, 1142 
Diana Phelps, 498 
Lucinda Phelps, 524 
Eliakim Phelps, Jr., 570 
Noah Phelps and wife, 726, 587 
Sally Phelps, 015 
Cynthia Phel^ s, 617 
Rosina Phelps, 61 G 
Benj. Phelps and wife, 751, 810 
Isaac Phelps, 825 
Pattv Phelps, 877 
Emiiv A. Phelps, 1063 
Daniel F. Phelps, 1090 
Wilmoth Phillips and wife, 1052, 

1053 
Rev. Exp. Porter's wife, 554 
Daniel Porter and wife, 322, 323 
Warner Pratt's wife, 1295 
Mariam Powers, 940 
Joseph Powers and wife, 943,945 
Elijah Pratt, 1009 
James H. Pratt, 1276 
Eleazer Pomeroy, 654 J 
Elisha Pratt, 1335 
Moses Prentiss' wife, 132 
Reuben Prentiss' wife, 393 
Josiah W. Priest's wife, 1135 
Fanny M. Pratt, 1269 
Caroline Pratt, 1270 
Mary S. Pratt, 1271 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 245 



Sallv Ramsdell, 787 
Fanny E Randall, 1339 
Lemuel Ilandall's wife, 1282 
Julia A. Randall, 1259 
Jotham Randall and wife, 369,370 
Joel Randall, 531 
Emeline Randall, 1329 
Vespatian Randall's wife, 778 
Jotham Randall, Jr., 957 
Minerva Randall, 903 
Alonzo D. Randall, 1301 
Jesse Randall, 956 
Chester Randall, 1054 
Charles L Randall, 1308 
Almira Randall, 1115 
Chester Randall, Jr., 1319 
Joseph Reed and wives, 274, 278, 

364 
Charles Reed, 623 
Eliphas Reed's wife, 854 
William Reed and wile, 932, 2d 

wdfe, 1098 
Warren A. Reed and wife, 1027, 

10274 
Warren Reed and wife, 1 204,1205 
Rev. Jared Reid's wife, 1087 
AnnReid, 1134 
Aaron Rhoads' wife, 356 
Polly Rhoads, 488 
Drusilla Rhoads, 523 
Martha D. Rhoads, 701 
Timothy Rice and wiie, 286, 287 
Zerviah Rice, 34G 
Lyman Rice, 1336, and wife, 1348 
Susanna Rice, 394 
Ddrius H. Rice and wife, 607,714 
Sophia Richardson, 1202 
Horatio Rice's wiie, 779 
Louisa Richardson, 1203 
Daniel Rider, 478 
Hezekiah Root and wife, 44, 45 
Orlando Root and wile, 105, 107 
Miriam Root, 108 
Ehsha Root and wife, 124, 125 
Asenath Root, 252 
Molly Root, 27t) 
Remembrance Root and wife, 

351 352 
Darius Root and wife, 361 362 

22* 



Elihu Root and wife, 511 512 
Orlando Root and wife, 438 439 
Wealthy Root, 762 
Rhoda Root, 907 
Euzaheth Root, 1014 
Harrison Root, lOoO 
Mary C. Root, 1048 
David Robbins, 981 
David Rug;5les' wii'e, 922 



Thomas Sabin and wife, 576 577 
Thomas Sabin, Jr. and wife, 590 

590.i 
Lewis Sabin, 773 
Laura Sabin, 906 
Sherman Sabin 970 
Anna Sabin, 1050 
Abigail A. Sabin, 1078 
Lyman Sabin, 1100 
Eiihu Sanford's wives, 301 357 
Ichabod Sanford's wife, 371 
Learned Scott, 467 
Ephraim Scott and wife, 850 851 
Amy Sexton, widoAV, 28 7 A 
George C. Sanford's wife, 1237 
Lydia Sexton, 266 
Eliz.ibfth Sexton, 638 
Mason Shaw's wife, 376 
Luther Shaw's wife, 1143 
Noah Sexton, 246 
Amy Sexton, 254 
Chiistopher Simons, 1233 
Martha A Shaw, 1342 
Asa Shumway and wife, 113 114 
David > hum way & w'ife, 174 175 
Cloe Shuinway, 237 
Erasmus Shumway's wife, 403 
Alfred Shumway's w^ife, 423 
Samuel Shumway, 433 
EUhu Shumway's wife, 641 
Esther Shumway, 688 
Solomon Shumway and wife, 720 

843 
Nathan Shumway's wife, 866 
Eddv Shumway and wife, 1028 

\02Sh 
John R. Shumway, 1092 
Solomon C. Shumway's wife,1225 



246 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Joseph Sikes and wife 127 128 

Pliny Sikes, 2io 

Tabitha Sikes, 269 

Roderick Shewbrooks, 672 

Abner Sikes' wife, 122^ 

Elihu Smead, 409. 

John Smith, and wife, 1 2 

Abner Smith and wife, 5 6 

Daniel Smith and wife, 7 8 

Joseph Smith and wife, 9 10 

Elijah Smith and wife, 11 75 

Joseph Smith, Jr. &wife 139 171 

Edward Smith and wife, 163 164 

Abigail Smith, 165 

Abia Smith, 167 

Irene Smith, 188 

Experience Smith, 189 

Aniasa Smith, 229 

Daniel Smith, Jr. & wife, 238 239 

Jacob Smith 247 

John Smith, 248 

Phebe Sm^th, 251 

Eaos Smith, 260 

Eli Smith, 279 

Amos Shaw and wife, 1285 1252 

Lncretia Shumway, 1206 

Asahael Shumwaj'-'s wde, 1191 

Mary J. Shumway, 1305 

Clarissa Sikes, U51 

Permelia Smith, 1 247 

James Smith's wife, 280 

Jonathan Smith and wives 288 

289 350 
Piatt Slaughter, 1307 
Bui ah Smith 316 
Samuel Smith's wife, 385 
Mercy Smith, 416 
Betsey Smith 5^o 
Margaret B. Smith, 1121 
Cotton Smith's wile, 894 
Sophia Smith 764 
Giles Smith's wife 581 
Samuel Smith, 756 
Nehemiah Smith's wife, 929 
Eunice Smith, 1363 
Obed Smith's wife, 1130 
John Spooner and wile, 863 918 
Lee Sprague, 668 
Ebenezer Stearns & wile, 58 59 



±ibenezer Steams 2d & wife, 83 84 
Benj. Stebbins and wife, 18 19 
Gideon Stebbins and wife 129 130 
Benj. Stebbins 2d, 262 
Zenas Stebbins and wives, 724 

383 856 
Sam'l H. Stebbins and wife, 430 

645 
Sylvanus Stebbins and wife, 604 

605 
Cyrus Stebbins, 671 
Henry Stebbins and wife, 745 746 
Juliann Stebbins, 890 
Dolly Stebbins, 901 
Henry Stebbins, Jr., 979 
Caroline Stebbins, 984 
Lucy Stebbins, 983 
Emily Stebbins, 985 
Lavmia Stebbins, 986 
Laura B. Stebbins, 1087 
Henry Starks, 1219 
Cordelia S. Shumway, 1312 
Grace Stebbins, 1086 
Harriet Stebbins, 987- 
Clarissa Stebbins, 11 11 
Diantha Stebbins, 1128 
Ely W. Stebbins and wife, 1293 

1294 
Juliett Stebbins, 1310 
Mark Siacy and wife, 292 293 
ira Stacy and wife, 475 476 
Arba Stacy and wile, 530 949 
Hannah Stacy, 541 
Dimmis Stacy, 629 
Julia Stacy, 630 
Ziiia Stacy, 703 

Alanson Stacy and wife, 909 882 
Horace Stacy, 1008 
Phiueas Strong and wives, 314 

315 613 
Samuel Strong and wives, 464 

506 665 
Abigail Strong, 504 
Elizabeth Strong, 1015 
Nancy Strong, 602 
Theodotia Strong, 540 
Eli Strong, 564 

Adol])hus Strong and wife, 666 
881 



CONGREGATIONAL CHUECH IN BELCHEKTOWN. 247 



Adelia Swinington, 813 
S. Streeter, 980 
Solcmon Shumway, 1316 
Rebekah N. Shaw, 1361 

Sarah Tainter, 689 
Oliver S. Taylor, 584 
Rebekah P. Taylor, 763 
John Thayer's wife, 213^ 
Mary A Thayer, 789 
Mary Ann Thayer, 1113 
Horatio Thomson and wives, 992 

993 982 
Rebekah Thopping, 76 
James Towne, and wife, 73 74 
Israel Towne' s wife, 104 
David Towne and wife, 146 147 
Amasa Towne and wife, 241 242 
Jonathan Towne and wife, 258 

337 
Abner Towne and wife, 353 354 
Solomon Towne, 358 
Lucretia Towne, 400 
Emily S. Towne, 1272 
Lydia Towne, 687 
Lydia Towne, 1207 
Laura Towne, 697 
Edward F. Towne, 1314 
Almira Towne, 797 
Israel Towne, 878 
Abner Towne, 2d, 532 
Josej)h Towne, 948 
Asher Towne's wife, 1152 
Amasa Towne, 1232 
Julia L. Towne, 1065 
Sarah E. Towne, 1322 
Malissa Towne, 1083 
Abner F. Towne, 1119 
Ebenezer W. To-\vne, and wife, 

1144 1145 
Israel Trask, 313 
Joseph Tucker's wife, 3 19 J 
Jonathan S. Tucker's wife, 580 
Eliza Tucker, 1033 

Newell Upham, 955 
Howard Upham' s wife, 1347 
Flavia S Underwood, 1356 
Russell S. Underwood, 1309 



James Walker and wives, 99 100 
287;^ 

James Walker, Jr. & wife, 256 
257 

HezekiahWalker & wife, 243 642 

Silas Walker and wife, 317 318 

Josiah Walker and wife, 635 320 

Nath'I Walker & wife, 410 331 

'Aaron Walker, 412 

Jason Walker and wife, 427 428 

Hezekiah Walker, Jr. and wives, 
473 488 643 

Horace Walker, 474 

Tertius Walker, 477 

Amy Walker, 490 

Oshea Walker, 491 

Mary Walker, 1070 

^Elmira Walker, 991 

Esther S. Walker, 492 

PoUy Walker, 505 

Joel Walker, 525 

Deborah Walker, 526 

Silence Walker, 527 

Sarah Walker, 1274 
i ''iara Walker, 528 
'lildsonM. Walker, 1315 
■ Charles Walker, 624 
; Gilbert E. Walker 1317 

Emily Walker, 626 

Eliza Walker, 627 

AsaM. Walker's wife, 1354 

Henry J. Walker and wife, 1074 
1268 

Aaron Walker, Jr., 959 

Emery P. Walker, 1320 

Polly Walker, 632 

Everett W. Walker, 1351 

Lucy Walker, 639 

Juliett E. Walker, 1327 

Samuel Walker, 673 

Mary R. Walker, 1330 

Electa Walker, 690 

Polly R. Walker, 1340 

Harriet Walker, 759 

Silence S. Walker, 1355 

Oromal Walker, 782 

John G. Walker, 1066 

Phineas C. Walker, 958 

Caleb Walker, 939 



248 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE 



Seth Walker, 1116 
Renselaer '^ alker's wife, 1263 
OiTcn Walker and wife, 1284 921 
€aleb Walker, Jr.'s wife, 1260 
Lyman Walker and wife,954 1005 
Almiva Ward, 942 
Oshea Walker, 1049 
Martha Ann Walker, 1058 
Philura C. Walker, 1059 
Ezra Ward's wife, 802 
Mary Ward, 694 
Sally Warner, 816 
William B. Warner, 659 
-Dara Walker's wife, 1131 
Josiah Walker, Jr 's wife, 1138 
Sarah E. Walker, 1099 
Elon Walker, 1076 
Emeline Walker, 1082 
Calvin A Warren, 938 
Dehlah C Ward, 734i 
Moses Warner and wife, 39 40 
Ebenczer Warner and wife, 41 

70 
Wareham Warner's wife, 157 
Jonathan Warner and wife, 159 

160 
Josiah Warner, 172 
Mary Warner, 1352 
Seth Warner and wife, 180 181 
Ellen Warner, 1353 
Hulda Warner, 201 
Esther Warner, 202 
Submit Warner, 205 
Pliincas Warner and wives, 235 

420 618 
Stephen Warner, 240 
Elisha Warner and wife, 722 263 
Henrietta Warner, 444 
Charles L. Warner and wife, 1267 

1349 
Theron Warner, 657 
Ebeuezer Warner, 658 - 

Olive Washburn, 519 * 

George Washburn, 660 
Mary Washlmrn, 1210 
Charles L. Washburn, 1220 
Charles Washburn and wife, 79 f 

792 



Eliab Washburn and wife, 790 

711 
Sophia Washburn, 654.^ 
Delphia Washburn 566i 
Nathan Week^' wife, 589 
James Went worth's wife, 873 
Williams 11. Whittemore, 680 
John Whitman, 2d, 661 
Elizabeth Whitman, 683 
Catheiine Whitman 684 
Polly Whitman, 685 
Abby Whitman, 686 
James Whitman, Jr. and wife, 

897 1213 
Lydia Whitman, 908 
A. Whitman, 822^ 
Keuben White's wife, 829 
Benjamin E White, 841 
Vester Willson, 551 
Svlvester Wilson's wife, 588 
Amy Willson, 693 
James Whitman and wife 434 

435 
John Willson's wife, 594 
Francis Willson, 500 
lluth Warner, 1102 
Pliny Witt's wife, 407 
Oliver Willson, 693<^ 
Elizabeth Willson, widow, 809 
Isaac Willis, 814 
Jacob WiUis, 815 
Orric Willis 977 
Elijah Whitney, 91 1 
Jesse Williams and wives, 114T 

1148 1264 
Esther Williams, 1149 
Lucretia Witt, 672^ 
James S. Whitman, 1222 
Jesse M. Williams and wife, 1359 

1360 
Eliza M. Willey, 1357 
Allred 11. Winter, 953 
Electa Winter, 963 
Timothy Work's Avife, 860 
He v. S. Woolcott's wife, 1265 
Ivory Witt and wife, 747 748 
Alpheus Winter's wife, 578 
Joshua Wilder, 93 



CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN BELCHERTOWN. 249 



Jacob Willson and wife, 178 179 
Azariah Willis and wives, 448 

449 654| 
Jonathan B. Woods and wife, 

1261 1262 
Daniel Worthington, 87 
Samuel Worthington and wife, 

91 92 
Temperance Worthington, 186 

also 328 
DavidWorthington & wifel94 195 
Wm. Worthington and wife, 311 

312 
Celina Worthington, 327 
Sarah Worthington, 347 
Eli Woods and wife, 329 330 
Eliza M. Woods, 1324 
AsaB Woods, 533 
Joseph Woods and wife, 534 644 
Lydia Woods, 535 



Clarissa F. Woods, 1346 

Susan Woods, 536 

Asa Woods' wife, 446 

Jonathan Woods & wife, 585 586 

Zepheniah Woods, 674 

George B. Woods and wife, 799 

998 
Martin Woods and wife, 828 828^ 
Elisha Woods and and wife, 892 

893 
Oliver Wright and wife, 270 271 
Jonathan Wright and wife, 446| 

537 
Anderson Wright, 978 
Ara Wright and wife 1035 1036 
Lucy Wright, 1209 
Henry A. Wright and wife, 1212 

1212i 
Susan M. Woods, 1366 
Lucy C. Woods, 1367 



Those who were removed from the churh by death or otherwise, 
previous to February 2oth, 1756, are nut found in the foregoing 
list ; no record is to be found of them. Names are doubtless omit- 
ted of some who have been communicants, and members of the 
church ; since that time,our records are defective. Some names who 
were known to be communicants are not on the church records ; 
when known their names were inserted in this list, that the list 
may be as accurate and full as practicable, yet I presume in some 
measure deficient. 



GENEALOGIES 



OP SOME OF THE EIKST FAMILIES THAT SETTLED IK 

COLD SPRING, NOW BELCHERTOWN, HAMPSHIRE 

COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTTS. 



APPENDIX A. 



THE SMITH FAMILY. 

John Smith, (No. 1) in tlie column of figures repre- 
senting names, was the son of Joseph Smith, who was son 
of Joseph Smith, who came from England and settled at 
Hartford, Conn., about 1651. He married Lydia Huit, 
or Hewitt, daughter of Rev. Ephraim Huit, the second 
minister of Windsor, April, 1656. They had fifteen 
children. Their eldest son, Joseph, father of John (No. 
1), moved to Hadley in 1679 ; married Rebecca Dickin- 
son in 1680. They had five sons and three daughters — 
Joseph, born 1682 ; John, born 1684, died under two 
years of age ; John, born 1687 (No. 1); Jonathan, born 
1691, and Benjamin, born 1696. Three daughters, Re- 
becca, Lydia, and Elizabeth, John, the third son, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hovey, of Hadley, in 1709. He moved to 
Hatfield in 1711, and was chosen a deacon in the church 
there. He moved to Cold Spring in 1736. They 
had six sons and five daughters. Their sons were John, 
born in Hadley in 1710 ; Abner (No. 5), born in Hat- 
field, in 1712 ; Samuel ; Daniel (No. 7), born 1716 ; Jo- 
seph (No. 9), born 1720 ; Elijah (No. 11), born 1723. 
Their daughters were Elizabeth, married Walter Fair- 



252 APPENDIX. 

field, son of (21) ; Mirriam, married Jesse Warner ; Ra- 
chel, married Aaron Hannum (No. 32) ; Sarah, married 
Abner Dickinson, and Rebekah, married Oliver Graves. 
All the children, except John, were born in Hatfield. 
John, the eldest son, resided some years with his family 
here, and removed. His son Edward was born here and 
resided here for years ; was chosen deacon of this church 
(See No. 163). Abner and Daniel came here in 1733. 
Elijah (No. 11), came with his father in 1736. Daniel 
and Elijah spent their lives here. Abner (5), moved 
away. Joseph (9, see his number), married Eunice Bas- 
com ; they had five sons — Joseph (139), Amasa (229), 
Eli, (279), John (248) and Solomon. (See these num- 
bers in column of figures). Margaret, a daughter of (9), 
married (241. Elijah (11) married Sybil Worthington, 
of Colchester, Conn, in 1751 ; they had six sons and 
three daughters. Elijah served as a Captain in the 
French war, in 1757 and 1758. His sons were Asa, 
born in 1752, died at Halifax, Vermont, in 1835. He, 
was father of Rev. Theophilus Smith, now the settled 
minister of New Canaan, Conn. Elijah, born 1758, lived 
in Greenfield, and died there in 1843. Rev. Ethan 
Smith, born in Belchertown, December 19, 1762. He 
married Miss Bathsheba Sanford, daughter of Rev. David 
Sanford, minister of Medway, February 4, 1793. (See a 
notice of him in Historical Sketch, page 29). They had 
ten children — Myron, born in Haverhill, 1794, died in 
Hebron, N. Y., in 1818; Lyndon Arnold, born 1795, 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1817, studied the 
medical profession, married Frances L., daughter of Rev. 
Edward D. Grifiin, D. D., President of Williams College, 
in 1823, and is now a practising physician in Newark, 
New Jersey. Stephen Sanford, born 1797, studied The- 
ology, was settled in the ministry in Westminster, Mass., 
now without pastoral charge. Carlos, born 1799, gradu- 
ated at Union College, N. Y., in 1822, studied Theology, 
is now located in the ministry in Talmadge, Ohio. Grace 
Fletcher, born 1803, married Rev. Job H. Martin, and 
died in 1840. Sarah Towne, born in 1805, married Rev. 
Job H. Martin, in 1841. He is now settled in the min- 



APPENDIX. 253 

istry in Wisconsin. Harriet, born 1807, married Rev. 
William H. Sanford, the settled minister in Boylston, 
Mass. Ellen Chase, born in 1812, married Charles B. 
Sedgwick, Esq., of Pompey Hill, N. Y., in 1837, and 
died in 1846. The other children died early in life. 

Jacob Smith, the next younger brother of Rev. Ethan, 
and 4th son of Deacon Elijah Smith (11), was born in 
1764, united with this church in 1785, (See 247), re- 
moved to Hadley in 1788, has been a deacon in that 
church for many years, and is now living in the enjoy- 
ment of his mental and moral powers, to a degree un- 
usual for one of his years, sustained by the consolations 
of that religion, which has been his support and his so- 
lace for almost three score years and ten. William, the 
next son of Deacon Elijah (11), was born in 1766, now 
lives in Scipio, Seneca County, Ohio. Josiah, the next 
son, was born in 1768 ; died in Scipio, Ohio, in 1828. 
Sibyl (162), daughter of Deacon Elijah Smith, married 
Deacon Joseph Bardwell (233), in January, 1774. Sa- 
rah W., another daughter, married Capt. Elijah Bard- 
well (182), in December, 1777. Rev. Horatio Bardwell, 
missionary to India, is son to these parents, Elijah and 
Sarah W. (See their numbers, 182 and 183). Joseph 
and Elijah Bardwell were brothers. Elizabeth, another 
daughter of Deacon Elijah (11), married John Co wles, Jr. 
(191), in April, 1778. 



APPENDIX B. 

THE liYMAN FAMILY. 

In the earliest records that I have found containing this 
family name, it is writen Limon. It is so writen gener- 
ally in church and town records at Northampton, for 
fifty or more years from the first settlement in that 
place. Since about 1720 it has generally been writen 
Lyman. 

23 



254 APPENDIX. 

Beacon Aaron Lyman (No. 3), in the column of figures 
representing names, was a grand-son of John Lyman of 
Northampton. The name of John Limon is found there 
at the organizing of the church in 1661, or about that 
time, as a prominant actor in the affairs of the place. He 
had several sons. Benjamin, his son, was father of 
Aaron (3). Caleb, was another son of John. Some of 
that branch of the family moved to Northfield. Joseph 
was another son of John ; he died in Northampton, Feb- 
ruary, 1691, aged 21. John, the father, died there Au- 
gust 20, 1690, aged 66. Deacon Aaron Lyman was one 
of the first settlers in Cold Spring, in 1731. He was 
born in Northampton, 1 705 ; married Eunice Dwight, a 
sister of Capt. Nathaniel Dwight (42), about 1732. Jo- 
siah Lyman (221), was a son of Aaron, born in 1736 ; he 
married Sarah Worthington, of Colchester, Conn., and 
raised a family here. Aaron (230), his oldest son, resid- 
ed here many years ; married Electa Graves ; was a dea- 
con in this church. Josiah, moved late in life, to Go- 
shen, in this County, and died at an advanced age. Jo- 
siah had other sons — Giles (249), and Jonathan (261). 
(See these numbers in column of figures). A brother of 
Aaron (3), moved to Southampton; his name was Ben- 
jamin; he died there in 1762, aged 60. The Lyman 
family have all removed from this place. I am not aware 
that a branch of it remains with us. They were highly 
respected and useful in their day here, and decided pat- 
rons of the religious interests in the place. It is suppos- 
ed that John Lyman was the progenitor of all by the name 
of Lyman, in this part of the country. 



APPENDIX. 255 

APPENDIX C. 

THE BRIDGMAN FAMILY. 

Ebenezer Bridgman (No. 14) in column of figures rep- 
resenting names, was a native of Northampton, and came 
to this place in 1732. He was son of John Bridgman, 
of Northampton. John was son of James Bridgman, one 
of the Pilgrim Fathers ; he came from England and set- 
tled in Hartford in 1640 ; soon after moved from Hart- 
ford to Springfield, Avhere he resided a few years. John, 
his only son, was born in Springfield, July, 1645. The 
same year, James, the father, moved to Northampton 
with his family. John married Mary Shelden of North- 
ampton, December, 1670. They had six sons and seven 
daughters. Their sons were John, born 1674; James, 
born 1677; Isaac, born 1680; Ebenezer, born 1686; 
Thomas, >^orn 1688, and Orlando, born 1701. The names 
of the daii .^liters were Mary, Deliverance, Sarah, Ruth, 
Martha, Iluiiu ih, and Dorothy. Ebenezer, the fourth 
son of John, married Mary Parsons of Northampton, 
daughter of Capt. John Parsons. They had one son, Jo- 
seph (16), born at Northampton, 1712. He came here 
with his father, soon after married, had two sons, Oliver 
(187), born December 28, 1738; Joseph (200), born 
June 4, 1745. Joseph married Ruth Wright of North- 
ampton, June 21, 1770; Oliver married and had three 
sons— Ebenezer, (408), Oliver (723), and William^ (457). 
Ebenezer and Oliver are farmers, now residing in this 
place. William is a physician, residing in Springfield. 
Esther (781), a daughter of Oliver (187), married Park 
Holland; he died June 19, 1832, aged 51. Joseph 
(200), had four sons and two daughters ; Wright (302), 
was a merchant in this town, married Irene Smith of 
Granby, daughter of Phineas Smith, formerly of that 
town. They had six sons — Henry, John B., Wright, 
Porter, Phineas S., and Calvin ; they had two daugh- 
ters — Mary, married Samuel P. Hopkins, Helen died un- 
married. Joseph, the second son of Joseph (200), was a 



256 APPENDIX. 

graduate of Dartmouth College, in 1795; studied the 
legal profession, and settled in this town ; married Ruth 
Hawkes (440), of Charlemont; they had four sons and 
three daughters. Their sons were Frederick, a graduate 
of Yale College, in 1826, and a practising physician in 
Georgia, Arthur, Joseph, and Francis ; their daughters 
were Eliza, Sarah, and Clara. Joseph Bridgman, Esq. 
died in this town, December, 1836, aged 63. Theodore 
Bridgman (550), the third son of (200), married for his 
first wife (326), for his second wife (504), for his third 
wife (502), (See these numbers) ; by his first wife he had 
three sons — (460), (461), (667), and three daughters — 
(494), (858), and (889) ; by his second wife he had 
(988), and by his third wife, Abigail S. (See these num- 
bers for further facts). Theodore died in December, 
1836, aged 61. Jonathan, the fourth son of (200), was 
born in 1781, and now resides in Amherst. (See 411). 
He had two daughters, Sarah (339), and Mary. 



APPENDIX D. 

THE STEBBINS FAMILY. 

Benjamin Steibins (No. 18), in the column of figures 
representing names, was a native of Northampton. He 
was born 1711, and was son of Samuel Stebbins, born at 
Northampton, 1658, who was a son of John Stebbins. 
John died at Northampton, 1678, aged 60. He was the 
son of Rowland Stebbins. In the geneological memoir 
of the Stebbins family, by Dr. Daniel Stebbins of North- 
ampton, published in the fifth volume of the Historical 
and Geneological Register, 1851, we learn that Rowland 
Stebbins arrived in America in 1634, with his family, con- 
sisting of his wife and two sons and two daughters, pas- 
sengers in the ship Francis, from Ijiswich, County of 
Suff^olk, England. He was forty years old at his arrival ; 



APPENDIX. 257 

his wife Sarah forty-three ; his son Thomas, 14 years of 
age ; his daughter Sarah, 1 1 years of age ; his son John, 
8 years of age ; and his daughter Elizabeth six years of 
age. They settled at Springfield. After remaining a 
time at Springfield, Rowland and his son John went to 
Northampton ; John remained there through life. Row- 
land returned back to Springfield, where he died, Sep- 
tember, 1683. John married Abigail Bartlett ; they had 
nine children — Samuel, Abigail, Thomas, Hannah, Mary, 
Sarah, Joseph, Deborah, and Thankful. Joseph went to 
Deerfield. Samuel was father of Benjamin (18), who is 
said to be the first that made a permanent residence in 
in this place. He remained here through life, raised a 
family here, and died 1789, aged 78 ; his wife died 
1769, aged 60. Captain Gideon Stebbins (No. 129), 
was son of Benjamin; he was born in this town in 
1740. In November, 1768, he married Mary Hins- 
dale of Deerfield. They had four sons that lived 
to adult age. Benjamin, the eldest, w^as a physician, 
went to the South, where he spent most of his life — 
he died many years since; Zenas Stebbins (724), Sam- 
uel H. Stebbins (430), and Henry Stebbins (745), are 
farmers, all now residing in this town. (See these num- 
bers). Darius, another son of Gideon, died in infancy. 
The Stebbins family were very early settlers in Western 
Massachusetts, at Springfield, Northampton, Deerfield, 
and other places. The given names of Samuel, Benja- 
min, and Joseph, were common names in several branches 
of the family. This family can trace their lineage to a 
very remote antiquity and to a very reputable ancestry. 
A compiler of the genealogy of this family says, " A 
glance at the names of the principal settlers in New Eng- 
land, should satisfy the most prejudiced Virginian, that 
there are many eastern Families that have as good a 
claim to ' gentle hlood^ as any boastful Lee, Randolph, or 
Fairfax. In this country, none can boast of an older de- 
cent than this family, if we except a few settlers in James- 
tjown, and the Pilgrims of the Mayflower.'* 



23* 



258 APPENDIX. 

APPENDIX E. 

THE TOWNE FAMILY. 

William Towne^ Anglo-American, born about the year 
1600; came to this country and settled at Salem, about 
1640. He had six children — Edmund, born 1629 ; Ja- 
cob, born 1631; Joseph, bom 1639; three daughters, 
Rebeckah, Sarah, and Mary. William moved to Tops- 
field in 1652, and remained there during life. He died 
at the age of 72. Jacob married Catherine Simons ; he 
died in 1704, aged 73. He had six children — John, born 
1658; Jacob, born 1660; Catherine, born 1662; Deliv- 
erance and Ruth, twins, born 1664 ; and Edmund, born 
1666. John, son of Jacob, married Mary Smith, settled 
in Topsfield, and removed from there to Framingham in 
1700, and from there to Oxford in 1712; he died there 
in 1740, aged 82. They had ten children — Mary, born 
1681 ; John, died in childhood ; Israel, born 1684 ; Est- 
her, born 1686; Ephraim, born 1688; Jonathan, born 
1691 ; David, born 1693 ; Samuel, born 1605 ; Edmund, 
born 1699; and John, 1702. Israel, son of John, mar- 
ried Susanna Haven, and removed to Oxford in 1712 ; 
he died there in 1771, nearly 87 years of age. His 
widow, Susanna, died in this town, at her son's residence, 
in 1787, aged nearly 97. (See No. 101). They had ten 
children — Mary, born 1709; Susanna, born 1711, and 
died young ; Joseph, died in his minority ; Susanna, born 
1717; Elijiih, born 1719; Moses, born 1721; Esther, 
born 1724; Israel, born 1727; Lois, born 1729; Mahit- 
ibel, born 1731. Israel, soil of Israel, purchased a f;irm 
in Belchcrtown, in 1749, and came to this place, then 
22 years of age ; married Naomi Stebbius, daughter of 
Benjamin Stebbins (18), in 1754. He died in 1805, 
aged 78. His wife, Naomi (104), died in 1827, aged 92. 
They had 10 children — Amasa, born 1755; Jonathan, 
born 175C; Willi-.im, born 1758; Joseph, born 1761; 
Benjamin, born 1765; Abner, born 1767; Naomi, bom 
1770; Ilachel, born 1772; Susanna, born 1774; Salem, 



APPENDIX. 259 

born 1779. Amasa (241), died in Belchertown in 1820, 
aged 65. Jonathan (258), died in Belchertown in 1824, 
aged 68. William died in Granville, State of New York, 
in 1842, aged 84. Joseph died in Pennsylvania in 1825, 
aged 64. Abner (353), died in this town in 1828, aged 
60. Naomi married Nathaniel Talmadge, of Ludlow, 
and died there in 1835, aged 66. Rebeckah married 
Willson White, and died in Granville, State of New York, 
in 1800, aged 28. Susanna married Job Holbrook, and 
lived in Moscow, State of New York. Salem was a grad- 
uate of Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1805 ; has been 
extensively engaged in Classical Instruction, at Granville 
and Aurora, State of New York, and elsewhere. He has 
published several works as Text Books to the English 
language, which had an extensive circulation, and were 
well approved by the literary public. He has received 
the honorary degree of LL. D. Amasa (241), son of Is- 
rael, married Margaret Smith, daughter of Deacon Jo- 
seph Smith (9) ; they had seven children — Lucre tia 
(400), married John Witt ; Josiah was a graduate of 
Middlebury College, in 1812, studied Theology, Avas li- 
censed to preach, and settled in the ministry in Hanover, 
New Hampshire, married Eunice Pennfield, removed to 
Ohio, and continues his ministerial labors in that State. 
Lydia (687), married Deacon Jonathan Lyman (261). 
Israel (878), married Hannah Stacy (541). Abner mar- 
ried Eliza YiDton, daughter of Capt. AlDiiithar Mriton, 
form^-rly of South Hadley, and during a few of the last 
years of his life, of Amherst. She is sister of the Hon, 
Samuel Finley Vinton, a leading member in Congress 
from Ohio. Mr. Towne studied Theology, was licensed 
to preach, moved to Ohio, and died early in life in that 
State. Mary married Quartus Moody of Granby, and 
John S. married Rachel Warner. Jonathan (258), son 
of Israel, married for his first wife, Polly Holbrook ; by 
her he h id one ^ion, Jonathan, who married Delia Rumrill. 
Jonathan (25S), married for his second wife, Miriam 
Warner, daughter of Ebenezer Warner (41) ; his children 
by his second wife are Ebenezer W., Charles E., (died), 
William E., and Mary S. Abner Towne (353), niarrie4 



260 ^ APPENDIX. 

Kersiah Fairfield, daughter of (148). They had nine 
children — Laura, married Chester Randall ; Almira, mar- 
ried Rev. Erastus Benton, of Providence, R. I. ; Joseph 
(948), (which see): Naomi S. married Silas Howard; 
Louisa married H. T. Filer, of Belchertown ; Josiah, 
deceased ; Elizabeth R. married Nathan Willson ; Ma- 
lissa married Ransom Howard. 



APPENDIX F. 



THE D WIGHT FA MILT. 

Nathaniel Dioight, whose name is represented by 
'No. 42), in the column of figures, was a native of North- 
ampton, and son of Nathaniel Dwight, who early located 
at Northampton, about 1689. He was son of Timothy 
Dwight, who was son of John Dwight, who came from 
England and settled in Dedham, Mass., in 1636. His 
name is found of that date, acting as a freeman in that 
town. The name is writen Dwite at first, but was soon 
changed in the orthography and writen Dwight. John 
had one son, Timothy, whose name is found in the records 
of Dedham, as an acting freeman, as early as 1637. Tim- 
othy, the son of John, had three sons — Henry, Josiah, 
and Nathaniel. Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel, and grand- 
son of Timothy, came to this town in 1732. He was 
brother of Timothy Dwight, Esq., of Northampton, who 
was father of the Hon. Timothy Dwight of Northampton, 
who was father of Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., Presi- 
dent of Yale College. Nathaniel (42), the brother of 
Timothy, Esq., married Eunice Lyman, sister of Deacon 
Aaron Lyman. They had four sons — Elihu, Justus, Eli- 
jah, and Pliny. The eldest son, Elihu, married Pene- 
lope Graves in 1757, and died in 1760, leaving one daugh- 
ter, Margaret. She married Thomas A. Gates, (See 232). 



APPENDIX. 261 

Justus married Sarah Lamb ; he died in July, 1824, aged 
85. He had six sons — Elihu, a graduate of Dartmouth 
College in 1790, studied the medical profession and set- 
tled in South Hadley ; William, died young ; Jonathan, 
a farmer settled m Belchertown, died in 1834, (See 455), 
aged 64 ; Nathaniel, a farmer, settled in Belchertown, 
(See 515); Daniel, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 
1796, studied Law and settled in Westmoreland, N. H., 
and is now at the South; Justus (517), settled in this 
town, a farmer, died in this town in 1835, aged 54. Jus- 
tus, senior, had one daughter, Clarissa, (See 273). 

Col. Elijah Dwight (215), third son of (42), married 
Diana Hinsdale of Deerfield, (See 216). They had seven 
sons — Josiah, a graduate of Yale College in 1794, studied 
the medical profession, and settled in Portsmouth, N. H. ; 
Gamaliel, a merchant, sometime a resident in Boston, died 
many years since ; Lyman died young ; Elijah, a mer- 
chant, settled in Amherst, and died there October, 1819, 
aged 40 ; John, Pliny, and Leonard. He had two daugh- 
ters — Martha, married Hezekiah Wright Strong, a law- 
yer, settled in Amherst; Susanna D., married Mason 
ShaAV, Esq., a lawyer, formerly of Castine, Maine, now 
residing in this town. Pliny, the fourth son of Nathan- 
iel (42), had one child, a daughter, Nancy, (See 321). 
Col. Elijah Dwight died in 1795, aged 47. 

Another family of D wights, a different branch, came 
into this town about the time of the commencement of the 
Revolutionary War, from Western, (now Warren). Hen- 
ry Dwight, (See 197). He was son of Col. Simeon 
Dwight ; Col. Simeon was son of Henry, who was son 
of Timothy, who was son of John, the common ancestor 
of all the name in this country. Col. Henry Dwight (197), 
had six sons — Henry, a farmer, died in this town in 
1841, aged 64 ; Simeon, (636), a mechanic, died in this 
town in 1842, aged 63 ; Charles, a farmer, died in this 
town in 1815, aged 34; Solomon died years since ; Thom- 
as is at the South, if living ; Peregrine died in the State 
of New York in 1842, aged 48, (See 679). Henry 
Dwight (197), had two daughters — Sophia (518), the 
eldest, married Justus Dwight, Jr. (517); she died in 



262 APPENDIX. 

1814, aged 28; Clarissa, the youngest daughter (548), 
married Myron Lawrence, Esq., and resides in this town. 
Col. Henry D wight (197) had another son not named 
above, Joseph Hawley ; he died in the army in 1801, at 
Niagara, aged 26. He was the eldest son of Col. Dwight. 
Samuel Dwight, who died in this town, April 10, 1817, 
aged 52, was brother of Col. Henry Dwight (197). Sam- 
uel left two sons, John and Samuel. John died in 1851, 
aged 56. 

LOCATION AND RESIDENCE OF SOME OF THE DECEND- 
ENTS OF JOHN DWIGHT, THE COMMON ANCESTOR. 

John Dwight settled at Dedham, 1636. 

Second Generation. 
One son, Timothy, settled at Dedham. 

Third Generation. — Sons of Timothy. 

Xathaniel, settled at Northampton, Mass. 
Josiah, settled at Woodstock, Conn. 
X Henry, settled at Hatfield, Mass. ; died 1732. 

Fourth Generation. 

Samuel, settled at Enfield, Conn. 

Daniel, settled at Charleston, South Carolina, 

Nathaniel, settled at Belchertown, Mass. 

John and Theodore, settled in New Haven, Conn. 

Joseph, settled at Great Barrington, Mass. 

Josiah, settled at Springfield, Mass. ; died 1768. 

Edmund, settled at Halifax, Nova Scotia; died 1755. 

William, settled in Sturbridge, Mass. 

Locations of some of the 5th and succeeding Generations. 

Joseph, settled at Cincinnatus, New York. 
Henry W., settled at Stockbridge, Mass. 
Jonathan, settled at Springfield, Mass. 
Henry, settled at Belchertown, Mass. 



APPENDIX. 263 

Rev. Timothy, D. D., settled at New Haven, Conn. 

Jonathan E., settled at Canajoliarrie, N. Y. 

Daniel, settled at Dudley, Mass. 

Solomon, settled at Hatwick, N. Y. 

Israel R. " " " 

Rev. Lewis, settled at Boston, Mass. 

Rev. Henry, settled at Geneva, N. Y. 



APPENDIX G. 

THE PHEIiPS FAMILY. 

Lineage traced from Eliakim Phelps (36) both ways. 

Efiakim PheJps (No. 36), w^as ^ native of Northamp- 
ton, born 1709, and was son of William Phelps, and 
grand-son of William Phelps. Willuim, the grandfather 
of Eliakim, was son of Nathaniel Phelps one of the first 
settlers in Northampton. Nathaniel, was son of William 
Phelps, who first settled in Dorchester, Mass. ; he went 
from there to Windsor, Conn, and was many years a mag- 
istrate in th-^t Colony ; his name is found among the first 
settlers of Windsor, as early as 1640. Eliakim (36), 
came to this place in 1731 or 1732, when there were but 
five families in the place. He married for his first wife, 
Elizabeth Rust of Northampton ; she died in 1752, aged 
40 ; by her he had six children. His eldest son, Simeon, 
died at Pittsfield in 1776, returning from service in the 
Northern Army, aged 34. Simeon was father of Benja- 
min (751), and Noah (726). Eliakim, for his second 
wife, married Elizabeth Davis from Springfield ; she died 
in 1778, aged 64. His eldest son by his second wife, was 
William; he died in Northampton, (See 166); his sec- 
ond son by his second wife was Eliakim, (See 222). This 
Eliakim (222), had four sons— Abner (340), Daniel (462), 
William (463), and Eliakim (570). (See these several 



264 APPENDIX. 

numbers). Eliakim, the father of these four sons, died 
in this town in 1824, aged 69. He had two daughters — 
the eldest, Asenath, married Thomas Bliss of Brimfield, 
in 1813; the other daughter, Diana, married Cornelius 
Delano of Northampton. 

Joseph Phelps (No. 34), was a native of Northampton, 
and a brother of William the father of Eliakim (36), son 
to William, and grand-son to Nathaniel. He came here 
among the early settlers, and before the year 1736, prob- 
ably in 1732. He had a son Joseph, whose wife, Sarah, 
(106), was a member of this church. He had two daugh- 
ters — the eldest Dinah (P/ie/p5) '70), married Ebenezer 
Warner (41). She was the mother of Capt. Elisha War- 
ner (722), and of Phineas Warner (235). She died in 
1812, aged 80. Her husband, Ebenezer Warner, died 
within twenty-four hours of the same time ; also the 
same day died the wife of Elisha Warner, her son, with 
whom these parents lived, in the same dwelling. The 
other daughter of Joseph Phelps, Deborah, remained un- 
married through life. She died in 1816, aged 74. 



APPENDIX H. 

THE WARNER FAMILY. 

Traced from Ebenezer Warner (41) both loays. 

Ebenezer Warner (No. 41), a native Hatfield, and 
son of Ebenezer Warner of Hatfield, was born 1729. 
Ebenezer Warner of Hatfield, was son of Daniel Warner 
of Hatfield, born 1681. Daniel Warner of Hatfield, was 
one of the first settlers in that place, in 1661 ; died there 
April 30, 1692. He was son of Andrew Warner, who 
was one of the first settlers of Hartford, Conn., and died 
there December 18, 1684. Ebenezer Warner, the son of 
Daniel, and grand-son of Andrew, married Ruth Ely in 



APPENDIX. 265 

1709. They had several children — Ruth, born 1712 
died 1730 ; Martha, born 1715 ; Moses (39), born 1717 
Lydia, born 1719; Eli, born 1722; John, born 1727 
and Ebenezer, born 1729. Moses Warner (39), married 
Sarah Porter in 1739. Their children were Seth (180), 
born 1740. Seth was father of Titus Warner who died 
in Amherst, April 12, 1818, aged 50. Titus was father 
of the late Alonzo Warner, Park, Seth and George. Park 
resides in Granby ; Seth and George have moved away. 
The second son of Moses Warner, and brother of (180), 
was Jonathan Warner; he died in this place in 1782, 
aged 31. He was father of the first wife of Theodore 
Bridgman, (See 326). The other sons of Moses (39), 
were Moses, resided in Hatfield, and Eli, who went to 
Granby. Moses, the father, died in this town in 1759, 
aged 42 ; his wife died here in 1757, aged 36. Ebene- 
zer (41), brother of Moses (39), married Dinah Phelps 
(70). They had four sons — Elisha, (722) ; he died in 
this town in 1829, aged 77; Josiah, who died in 1782, 
aged 28 ; Elihu, who died in 1798, aged 40 ; and Phin- 
eas Warner (235), who died in 1848, aged 85. The 
daughters of Ebenezer (41), and Dinah (70), were Philo- 
theta (136) : she married Elijah Howe (135), in 1770, 
and died in 1771, aged 28 ; Hulda (201) : she married 
Capt. Simeon Bardwell, in 1781, and died in 1782, aged 
25 ; Esther, married Artemas Green of Granby, in 1788 ; 
Molly, or Miriam: she married for her first husband 
Capt. Jonathan Towne (258), in 1801 : he died in 1824 ; 
she afterwards married James Whitcomb of Williams- 
burgh, in 1826. Elisha (722), married Sarah Scott 
(263), February, 1776, for his his first wife ; she died in 
1812, aged 62. He again married, but left no children 
by either marriage. Phineas (235), married Sally Rich: 
she died in 1831, aged 62. He again married in 1832 
(618). Their sons are Theron, Ebenezer, and Jairus; 
their daughters — Henrietta (444), married (720, which 
see) ; Sally, married Lucius F. Newton of Monson : died 
in 1828, aged 24. These sons and daughters were all 
children of the first marriage ; Phineas Warner left no 
children by the second marriage. 
24 



266 APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX I. 



THE BABDWELL FAMILY. 

Joseph Bar dwell (No. 66), was a native of Hatfield, 
born 1713, and son of John Bardwell. John was son of 
"^'Rohcrt Bardwell who came from London to Boston about 
the year 1670. He was a hatter by trade. Between 
1670 and 1680 he removed to Hatfield; there he raised 
a family. His son John was an early settler in Cold 
Spring; he came here about the year 1732. He had 
three sons — Martin, Joseph and Jonathan. Martin was 
of adult age, Joseph about 19 years old, and Jonathan 
about 8 years old when the father came to this place. I 
can find no record from Church or Precinct, stating the 
death of either John Bardwell or of his eldest son, Martin. 
We have no Church or Parish records of any deaths for 
twenty-five years from the first settlement of the place. 
Martin married and had a family. One son, Martin, born 
1740, died in 1824; a daughter, Experience, married 
Eldad Parsons (223), in 1780; a daughter, Katherine, 
married Daniel Smith, Jr. (238), in 1776. Martin, who 
died in 1824, aged 84, had a son, Martin, who died in 
this place in 1814, aged 43 ; he was father of Oromal 
Bardwell and Antipas S. Bardwell, now residing in this 
place. Joseph (66), the second son of John, had three 
sons— Joseph (233), born 1750; Elijah (182), born 
1753 ; Obadiah, born 1757. Joseph (233), married Sybil 
Smith, daughter of (11), and sister of Rev. Ethan Smith, 
in 1774; they had eleven children — Haddassa (303), 
Electa (304), (See these numbers) ; Theodotia, married 
Ira Parsons, moved to Rutland, Vt., and died there July 
1842, aged 51 ; Josiah Bardwell, Esq., for many years a 
merchant and prominent man in South Hadley : he died 
there March 22, 1845, aged 67 ; two of the children 
died in early life ; Deacon Alonzo Bardwell, of South 

* Thii name is written Robhcrt in the ancient records. 



APPENDIX. 267 

Hadley ; one daughter married Col. Timothy Lyman, 
late of Chester, deceased ; several of the children are still 
living, not herein named. 

Capt. Elijah Bardwell, the second son of Joseph (66), 
married Sarah W. Smith, daughter of (11), and sister of 
his brother Joseph's wife, in 1777. Rev. Horatio Bard- 
well, missionary to Syria and Palestine, is son of these 
parents. (See Nos. 182 and 183). 

Jonathan Bardwell, third son of John, had two sons — 
Simeon and Jonathan. Simeon married Hulda Warner, 
daughter of (41), in 1781: she died in 1782, aged 25. 
Simeon moved from this place to the South, about the 
year 1794. His brother Jonathan married Anna Eddy in 
1781; he remained here through life. (See his number, 
753). He had two sons — Simeon and Jonathan. Sim- 
eon died in Virginia in 1835, aged 50 ; his brother Jona- 
than is at the South, if living. Their father, Jonathan 
1^753), died in this town in 1828, aged 76. 

Obadiah Bardwell, third son of Joseph (66), married 
Mahitibel Smith in 1782. Dr. Chester Bardwell, now a 
practising physician in Whately, is their son. 



APPENDIX K. 

THE HANNUM FAMILY. 

Samuel Hannum No. (27), was a native of Northamp- 
ton, born in the year 1692, and was son of John Han- 
num. John was son of William Hannum, from England, 
one of the earliest settlers in Northampton. He died in 
1677. His will was proved in the Probate Court, Au- 
gust 23d, 1677. His son John died in 1710. His will 
was proved in the Probate Court, February, 1711. John 
left two sons that came to Cold Spring with families, in 
1732. William, the eldest, born in 1690, and died in 
this town in 1756, leaving three sons. Moses, the eldest 
son of William, born 1718, died 1802. (See 29). He 



268 APPENDIX. 

left four sons — William, who moved to the State of New 
York ; Moses (549 J) ; Joshua, who died in this town un- 
married, in 1824, aged 65 ; David, horn 1763, and mov- 
ed from this place many years since. Moses (549 J) died 
in 1836, aged 79, leaving two sons — Pliny, who moved 
to Pelham, and died there in 1845, aged 63, and Stiles 
(1063 J), now residing in this town. Aaron, the second 
son of William, and brother of (29), born 1722, and died 
in this town in 1776; he left one son, Caleb, who died 
in Greenwich, in 1833, aged 83. Josiah Hannum, a 
blacksmith by trade, and moved from this place years 
since, was a son of Caleb. Gideon Hannum, the third 
son of William, and brother of (29) and (31), born 1726, 
and died in 1786 ; he left four sons — Justus, born 1756 ; 
Solomon (217) ; Elijah (794) ; Daniel (757), (See these 
numbers). Descendants of Elijah and Daniel, are now re- 
siding in this place. Samuel Hannum (27), the younger 
brother of William, came with him to Cold Spring, and 
died in 1780, aged 88, leaving two sons — Samuel, born 
1732, and died in 1809, unmarried; Phiu oS, second son 
of Samuel 27), born 1743, and died 1809, leaving three 
sons — Phineas (737), Gamaliel (521), Oliver (520), and a 
daughter (522). (See these numbers). 



APPENDIX L. 

THE GEAVES FAMILY. 

Jonathan Graves (No. 12), was a native of Hatfield, 
born 1702, son of Jonathan Graves, grandson of Isaac 
Graves, and great-grand-son of Thomas Graves, one of 
the first settlers in Hatfield. Thomas had two sons, John 
and Isaac. Thomas settled in Hatfield, before Hatfield was 
incorporated : when it was included within the limits of 
Hadley. John Graves had one son, Samuel, born in 
1657. He died in 1694. He left three sons, Jonathan, 



APPENDIX. 269 

John, and Thomas. In 1695, John was appointed guard- 
ian to Nathan Graves, a minor. Thomas Graves (No. 60), 
son of Samuel, married Lydia Graves, a daughter of Isaac 
Graves. John Graves (62), was born in Hatfield, in 
1719; Jonathan Graves (12), had three sons — Perez, 
Jonathan, and Joseph. These families came from Hat- 
field to this place very early in the settlement here, be- 
tween 1731 and 1735. Perez, the eldest son, went into 
the French War, in 1758 ; he made his Will in May that 
year, went immediately into the service, and died in the 
army in September or October the same fall. His Will 
was proved in October the same year, by which he gave 
to his brother Joseph his Tan Yard and some other prop- 
erty, to his brother Jonathan forty shillings, and to his sis- 
ter, Penelope Dwight, 65 acres of land. This sister had 
married Elihu Dwight, the eldest son of Capt. Nathaniel 
Dwight, in 1757 ; he also gave a handsome suit of clothes 
to Miss Susanna Lyman, (his bethrothed as is supposed). 
She was the daughter of Deacon Aaron Lyman (3). She 
afterwards, in 1763, married Capt. Elihu Kent, of Suffield, 
Conn. Jopeph Graves, son of Jonathan, died in this town 
in 1796, aged 62, leaving a large family — Perez, born 
1762; Josiah D. (459), born 1772; Jonathan, born 
1774; Elijah, born 1776: died at two years of age j 
Elijah, born 1779: died 1799; Joseph (459.^), born 
1783. The daughters were Margaret, married Benjamin 
Howe, a brother of Dr Estes Howe, in 1785; Susanna 
(267) : Electa (253), married Deacon Aaron Lyman 
(230), son of (221), and grand-son of (3), in 1788. The 
Graves family have all removed from this place ; many of 
them were communicants in this church, and notices oi' 
them will be found by tiirning to their resj^ective num- 
bers. 



24* 



270 APPENDIX. 

APPENDIX M. 

THE C0WLE8 FaMILT. 

Traced from Israel Cowlcs (56), both ways, 

Israel Coivles (56), was a native of Hatfield, son of 
John Cowles of Hatfield, born in 1726. John the father 
moved to Amherst, about 1729. His son John (85), was 
born at Amherst in 1731. John, the father, was son of 
Jonathan Cowles of Hatfield ; Jonathan was son of John 
Cowles who went from Hartford, Conn, to Hatfield, 
among the first settlers of that place. He had two sons — 
Jonathan and Samuel ; Samuel had two sons — Samuel 
and Ebenezer. Samuel, son of Samuel and brother of 
Ebenezer, early went to Coventry, Conn. ; his father, 
Samuel, died at Hatfield in 1744 ; by his Will he gave to 
his son Samuel, living in Coventry, his lands in Coventry ; 
to his son Ebenezer, his debts due to him and his house- 
hold furniture. Ebenezer lived in Hatfield. A branch 
of this family from John, the common ancester, early 
went to Farmington, Conn. The two brothers, Israel 
(56), and John (85), were among the early settlers here, 
though not among the first ; they probably came here in 
1752. They both engaged in service in the French War, 
and went from this place for the relief of Fort William 
Henry, in 1757. Israel died in this town in 1797, aged 
nearly 71. He left two sons — Josiah (272), born 1760, 
and Amasa (436), born 1768. Josiah died in 1822, leav- 
ing three sons — Israel (727), Mala, (1228), and Josiah 
(1280). Josiah died in 1851, aged 58. Descendants 
from these branches of the family are residing among us. 
Amasa (436), left one son, Ariel, and a daughter (1084). 
John Cowles (85), died in 1811, aged 80. He left sons — 
John (191), born 1758 : he died in 1830 ; Abner, born 
1761 : he died in May, 1837; Joshua (341), born 1775: 
died in 1842; Enos, (481,) born 1777; Vestcr, born 
1779. Descendants from these branches of the family 
are residing here. 



APPENDIX. - 271 

APPENDIX N. 

THE ANCESTST AND LINEAGE OF MRS. SARAH PORTER, 
WIFE OF REY. EXPERIENCE PORTER. 

Mrs. Porter was the eldest daughter of Dr. Phineas 
Smith, formerly of Sharon, Conn. Dr. Smith was a lin- 
eal descendant of from Rev. Henry Smith, the first set- 
tled minister of Weathersfield, Conn., who came to this 
country from England, in 1630, and landed at Plymouth. 
He had been ordained a protestant minister in England, 
There is a record in family descendants, stating that the 
Rev. Henry Smith was installed in the ministry in 
Weathersfield, in 1637. (See Note A). 

In a very valuable recent publication of the *' Foote 
Family," by Nathaniel Goodwin, Esq., of Hartford, 
there is the following notice of Rev. Henry Smith : 
"* The first notice we have of him, is on the records of the 
first church in Charlestown, Mass., where, according to 
an entry therein, himself and Dorothy his wife, were ad" 
mitted to full communion of the church, on the 5th of 
the 10th month, 1637. As near as can be ascertained, he 
was installed in Weathersfield, in the spring of 1641, at 
vvhich time the church was regularly organized. Mr. 
Smith died in 1648. But little is known of his ministry, 
as not a vestage of a church record is to be found during 
his life." 

He left a widow, who married John Russell, senior, 
the father of Rev. John Russell, who was his immediate 
successor in the ministry at Weathersfield, and who 
moved from there with a majority of his church, to Had- 
ley, Mass., in 1659. Mrs. Smith was again left a widow 
by the death of Mr. Russell, and moved to Hadley with 
Rev. John Russell, in 1659. Rev. John Russell died in 
Hadley, December 10, 1692, in the 66th year of his age. 
Rev. Henry Smith left one son, Joseph ; he married, had 
a family, and died leaving one son, Ichabod ; he married, 
had a family, and died leaving four sons — Samuel, James, 
Ichabod, and Joseph. These four brothers were farmers 
and resided in Suffield, Conn. Samuel was born in 1697. 



272 APPENDIX. 

At 23 years of age lie married a daughter of Rev. Cot- 
ton Mather, of Boston. Rev. Cotton Mather was son 
of Rev. Increase Mather, President of Harvard Col- 
lege from 1G85 to 1701. He was son to Rev. Rich- 
ard Mather, who was chosen teacher in the first church 
gathered in Dorchester, Mass., in 1636. Rev. Richard 
Mather was father of Rev. Eleazer Mather, the first min- 
ister of Northampton, ordained there in 1661. 

Samuel Smith, the eldest son of Ichabod, (and grand- 
son of Rev. Henry), had four sons and one daughter, 
Elizabeth ; she married Graves Loomis, of SufReld, Conn., 
and had a large family of children. His sons were Dan, 
Cotton Mather, Simeon, and Paul. The eldest son, Dan. 
was born in Suffield in 1731 ; he married Kersiah Devo- 
tion in 1752; she was daughter of Rev, Ebenezer Devo- 
tion ; they had one daughter, Lucy ; she married Wil- 
liam Goodrich, of Sharon, Conn. 

The eldest son. Dr. Phineas Smith, was born in Suf- 
field, Conn., January, 1755. He married Abigail Lay, 
of Lyme ; they had five sons and two daughters. Rich- 
ard, the eldest son, born 1779, was a ^rnduat<? of Yale 
College in 1797, studied the profession of law, settled in 
practice in Batavia, New York, has been Surrogate of the 
County, and is still residing in that place. 

Frederick, the second son, born 1782, educated a mer- 
chant, died unmarried, at Natchez, Mississippi, in 1817. 

Phineas, the third son, born 1785, educated a merchant : 
after arriving at the age of manhood he turned his atten- 
tion to the study of Theology, was licensed to preach, 
settled in the ministry, and is now in the State of Michi- 
gan in professional labors. He married Miss Sophia 
Tryon, daughter of Hon. John Tryon, of New Lebanon. 

John L., the fourth son, born 1787, resides in the State 
of New York. George, the youngest son of Dr. Phineas 
Smith, born 1793, Avas a graduate of Yale College in 
1812, went to the South, and died early in life. Sarah 
(551), the eldest daughter, married Rev. Experience Por- 
ter, in 1806; she died in 1825. (See Historical Sketch 
of her, page 59). Elizabeth, the youngest daughter 
(565), married Samuel Strong, Esq., and resides in this 



APPENDIX. 273 

place. Dan Smith, Esq., the youngest brother of Dr. 
Phineas Smith, of whom mention is made in the sketch of 
Mrs. Porter, married Betsey Hunter in 1780, and remov- 
ed from Sharon, Conn., to West Haven, Vt., in 1788. 
They had two sons and three daughters. Their eldest 
son, John Devotion, was educated a merchant, went to 
the South, and died in early life ; "William Hunter, the 
youngest son, was a farmer, resided in Vergennes, Vt, 
married Electa, daughter of Hon. Samuel Strong, of Ver- 
gennes, and died in 1843, aged 53 ; Lucy Maria, their 
eldest daughter, married Hon Moses Strong, of Rutland, 
Vt., a lawyer by profession, in 1801 : she died there in 
1823, aged 40 ; Betsey Matilda, the second daughter, 
married Mark Doolittle, the author of these sketches, in 
1807; she died in 1814, aged 28 ; Lorane, the third 
daughter, married Rev. Nathan S. S. Beman, D. D., of 
Troy, New York, in 1811, his first wife ; she died in the 
State of Georgia in 1818, aged 30. 

Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, the second son of Samuel 
Smith, and uncle of Dr. Phineas Smith, was many years 
a settled minister in Sharon, Conn. He had one son, 
Hon. John Cotton Smith, Governor of Connecticut 
from 1813 to 1817. He was also a member of Congress 
and a judge of the Supreme Court of Conn. 



APPENDIX P. 

THE DOOLITTLE FAMILY. 

Abraham Doolittle, supposed to be the progenitor of 
all by the name of Doolittle in this country, came from 
England and settled in New Haven, Conn., about the 
year 1640 or 1642. In 1644 he took the oath of fidelity 
in the Colony, and acted as Executive County Officer in 
New Haven. He was one of the three appointed by the 
New Haven Committee, to superintend the affairs of the 



274 APPENDIX. 

New Settlement. This "New Settlement" was after- 
wards, in 1670, incorporated into a town by the name of 
Wallingford. He Avas one of the first settlers in that 
town, and before its incorporation. He was one of the 
village Vigilence Committee in the time of King Phillip's 
war ; his house was protected by a picket fort, against 
an attack by the Indians. He married, and by his first 
wife he had two sons and two daughters. Abraham, his 
eldest son, was born February 12, 1649 : John, his sec- 
ond son, was born June 14, 1655; Elizabeth and Mary 
were the names of his daughters. After the death of his 
first wife, he married Elizabeth Mosse, July 2, 1663. By 
his second wife he had seven children. Samuel, his eld- 
est son by his second wife, was born July 7, 1665 ; the 
other sons by the second marriage were, Joseph, Ebene- 
zer, Daniel, and Theophilus. Abraham Doolittle died in 
1690. Joseph, his son, married Sarah Brown, daughter 
of Samuel Brown; he died in May 1733, aged 66. Eb- 
enezer married Sarah Hall, daughter of Samuel Hail : 
he died in December, 1711, aged 39. Daniel married 
Hannah Cornwall ; he resided in Middletown. Theoph- 
ilus married Thankful Hall, daughter of David Hall. 
John, the second son of Abraham by his first wife, mar- 
ried for his first wife, Mary Peck, February 13, 1682. 
His second wife was Grace Blakesley. Benjamin, a son 
of John, born July 10, 1695, was a graduate of Yale Col- 
lege in 1716, studied Theology, and was settled in the 
ministry in Northfield, Mass., in 1718: the first settled 
minister in that place ; he married Lydia Todd, October 
14, 1717; he died suddenly in Northfield, January 9, 
1748. Samuel, a brother of Rev. Benjamin, moved from 
Wallingford to Northfield, and died there in 1736, leav- 
ing two sons, Ephraim and Moses. Daniel, son of the 
first Abraham, died in Wallingford in 1755, aged 80; 
he left a son by the name of David. An only daughter 
of David, Elizabeth, married David Brooks, a graduate of 
Yale College in 1768. 

Abraham Doolittle, 2d, married for his first wife, 
Mercy Holt, daughter of William Holt of New Haven, 
Nov. 9, 1680 ; by her he had two sons and two daugh- 



APPENDIX. 275 

ters. Jolin, the eldest son, born August 13, 1681 ; Abra- 
ham, born March 27, 1684; Sarah, born February, 1686, 
and Susanna, born April 15, 1688. His second wife was 
Ruth Lathrop, from New London, a sister of John and 
Joseph Lathrop; she died leaving no children. Abra- 
ham, 2d, married for a second wife Elizabeth Thorp, 
daughter of Samuel Thorp ; by her he had three sons — 
Samuel, Joseph, and Thomas, born between the years 
1698 and 1705 inclusive. John Doolittle, the eldest son 
of Abraham, 2d, married for his first wife, Mary Freder- 
ick, daughter of William Frederick of New Haven, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1705; after her death he married Mary Lewis. 
By these two wives he had ten children : four sons 
and six daughters. His sons were, John, Frederick, 
Obed, and Nathan; his daughters, Susanna, Eunice, 
Phebe, Mary, Kersiah, and Patience. These children 
were born between the years 1707 and 1732 inclusive. 
He died at Wallingford in in 1745. 

John, the eldest son of John, and grand-son of Abra- 
ham, 2d, born February 6, 1712, married in 1734, had 
two sons and two daughters ; his sons were Philemon 
and Titus ; his daughters, Eunice and Hannah. He 
died at Wallingford in 1746. Philemon, his eldest son, 
married Lydia Hall, January 5, 1757. He had four sons 
and five daughters. His sons were John Frederick, Rice, 
Jared, and Jesse ; his daughters, Phebe, Kersiah, Lydia, 
Patience, and Hannah. Philemon moved from Walling- 
ford, Conn., to Blandford, Mass., in 1771, and again 
moved to Western New York in 1795. 

Titus Doolittle, Esq., the youngest son of John, and 
great-grand-son of Abraham, 2d, was born at Walling- 
ford, June 12, 1745; married Mary Lewis, daughter of 
Dr. Lewis of Wallingford. liimitUUtS^^^^^^^ ^rom Wal- 
lingford to Westfield, Mass., with a young family. The 
part of Westfield where he settled was incorporated into 
a town by the name of Russell, in 1792. He was a 
farmer by occupation. He had five sons and three daugh- 
ters. His eldest son, John, died in early life, unmarried ; 
his second son, Titus, a farmer by occupation, married 



^r #..,r-.T\'\ 



276 APPENDIX. 

Mary Tracy, daughter of Rev. Stephen Tracy, of Norwich, 
Mass., in 1794 ; she died in 1843. He is living in Pains- 
ville, Ohio. He has had a family of ten children, most 
of whom have died ; has no son living. Joel, the third 
son, was a graduate of Yale College in 1799, was a Tutor 
in the College at Middlebury, Vt., studied the profession 
of law, settled in business at Middlebury ; married Sa- 
rah P. Fitch, daughter of Ephraim Fitch, Esq., of Paw- 
let, Vt. He was at sundry times a member of the State 
Legislature, of the Governor's Council, and many years a 
Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont. He 
was a member of the Corporation of Middlebiu-y College. 
The last State office that he held, was that of member of the 
Board of the Council of State Censors ; he was chosen 
President of the Board. He died at Middlebury, March 
9, 1841, aged 67. He left four sons and two daughters. 
His sons were, John Titus, Charles Hubbard, Joel, and 
Mark Raboteau. These sons are in Ohio ; three of them 
in Painsville. His daughters were, Sarah and Elizabeth. 
The fourth son, Amasa, a farmer by occupation, resided 
in Cheshire, Conn. ; he married Mary Hitchcock, daugh- 
ter of Amasa Hitchcock, of Cheshire ; he died in 1825, 
aged 49, leaving one son, Amasa Lewis, now residing in 
Cheshire, and one daughter, Mary ; she married Reuben 
Palmer, Esq., and now resides in West Springfield, Mass. 
Mark, the fifth and youngest son, was a graduate of Yale 
College in 1804, studied the legal profession, settled in 
Belchertown, and is the author of these Sketches. For 
his first wife he married Betsey Matilda Smith, daughter 
of Dan Smith, Esq., of West Haven, Vt ; she died Nov. 
13, 1814, aged 28. (See Appendix N, page 271). She 
left two daughters — Lucy Maria, born August, 1809, mar- 
ried Dr. Horatio 4ii0JWiiHM«^ of Belchertown, in 1834, 
and now resides in this place ; Betsey Matilda, born in 
May 1814, married John Stacy, a graduate in 1837 of 
Yale College, in 1838. They now reside in Addison, 
State of New York. He is Principal in an Institution 
for Classical Instruction. August 10, 1817, Mark Doo- 
little married for his second wife, Sarah T. Raboteau, 
daughter of Charles C. Raboteau, Esq., formerly of 



'//l^t.uS^^^ 



APPENDIX. 277 

Newburyport. By this marriage he had two children: 
William C, who died in early childhood, and Sarah Lo- 
rane, who died July 29, 1842, aged 18 years. The 
daughters of Titus Doolittle, Esq., were, Elizabeth, 
married Abraham Bradley of Russell ; she died April 
28, 1831, aged 64, leaving sons and daughters. Mary, 
married Noble Fowler of Southwick, Mass. ; she died 
March 11, 1847, aged 78, leaving four sons. Martha, 
married Solomon Gillett of Colchester, Conn., and now 
resides in that place. Titus Doolittle, Esq., died Nov. 
23, 1818. 

1st Generation, Abraham Doolittle, died Aug. 11, 1690, aged 70. 
2d " Abraham Doolittle, 2d, died Nov. 10, 1732, aged 83. 

3d " John DooKttle, died Nov. 1746, aged 65. 

4th « John Doolittle, 2d, died Nov. 1747, aged 35. 

5th ** Titus Doolittle. 

6th « Mark Doolittle. 



25 



NOTES. 



NOTE A. 

I am inclined to think that there is an error in date of 
the record stating that Rev. Henry Smith was installed 
at Wethersfield, in 1637. It was probably in 1641. 
It is stated by Mr. Goodwin, in his work before alluded 
to, that previous to the installation of Rev. Henry Smith 
as the first pastor of the church at "Wethersfield, Rev. 
Richard Denton and Rev. Mr. Pruden labored with the 
people, until the former left in 1641, for Rippowams, and 
the latter joined his own church at Milford. Previous to 
1641, unhappy divisions arose in that church; the con- 
tention was carried before the General Court, at Hart- 
ford, in 1640. In these contentions several names are 
given, of those prominent in that controversy. Mr. 
Smith's name is not used or adverted to in these conten- 
tions, till 1643, when he became the object of censure 
and severe accusation. These charges were finally brought 
before the Governor and Magistrates, and fully heard, 
and Mr. Smith cleared from all imputation of blame or 
wrong, by the unanimous decision of the whole Court, 
and an order passed, to be read in the several towns, for 
clearing Mr. Smith from all accusations against him; 
and another order passed, that whosoever should be con- 
victed, under two witnesses, of renewing or continuing 
the former complaints against him, shall forfeit to the 
County ten pounds. In 1644 a part of the church seced- 
ed and made a settlement in Totocket, (now Branford), 
and the contentions ceased. 



280 NOTES. 



NOTE B. {Frontpage 14). 

There is nothing to be found on our church or precinct 
records, stating the nature of the difficulties that existed 
between Mr. Billing and the church, which lead to his 
dismission. I have in my possession, manuscripts one 
hundred years old, handed down from father to son, cast- 
ing some light on this subject. A presentation of it is in 
the following document, under date of 1750 : 

" In as much as many are endeavouring to destroy y® 
Rev. Mr. Edward Billing's character, and prevent his be- 
ing useful and serviceable to y^ souls of our fellow men, 
we think ourselves obliged to let y® world know y^ follow- 
ing things, namely : that y^ rise and ground of y' fierce 
contention at Cold Spring with Mr. Billing, was his dif- 
fering sentiments from most of y^ church with respect to 
y^ qualifications for y® enjoyment of y^ two sacraments, 
upon y* account of his holding that none but visible 
christians or saints were to be admitted to y^ special or- 
dinance. A great clamour was raised in this part of the 
country, and church meetings were frequently called to 
prepare y® way for Mr. Billing's dismission ; and at last 
y® church and pastor agreed in passing y^ following vote : 
' The pastor and church at Cold Spring, being divided in 
their sentiments with regard to y^ qualifications M^hich 
give a right to ^fuU communion' in y* church, when con- 
vened at y^ meeting house, y*" 2d Tuesday of September, 
1750, voted to call a Council, in a convenient time, to 
consider and give advice with regard to their difficult 
circumstances, resulting from y® above mentioned difi'er- 
ent sentiments. Voted, at a church meeting, 9th of Oc- 
tober, 1750, y' y® business of y^ Council, whenever called, 
shall be this, viz : to endeavour to accommodate the dif- 
ference between pastor and church, and if the endeavours 
prove ineffectual, then proceed to determine whether pas- 
tor and church, being of different sentiments as above 
mentioned, be a reasonable ground for separating them'." 

The Council convened, but I can find no result speci- 
fied of their doings. The differences of opinion as to 



NOTES. 



281 



qualifications for the enjoyment of the two sacraments 
were not reconciled. I can find nowhere the point of dif- 
ference between Mr. Billing and a majority of the church 
specifically stated, or the thing claimed by one party, and 
denied by the other. We have seen (page 16 and 17), 
that those embracing the half-way covenants, admitted 
persons to baptism and to the church, as being in "a 
state of education," and upon a moral sincerity; yet did 
not admit them to ^^full communion'' — that in form the 
church had distinct covenants, one for those thus admit- 
ted, and one for such as were admitted to full commun- 
ion. From all the sources of information that have come 
within my reach, I infer that Mr. Billing did not fellow- 
ship this practice, or believe it to be scriptural. It is 
clear to my own mind, that Mr. Billing maintained that 
none should be admitted into covenant relation to the 
church, or entertained as members in any sense, but such 
as professed experimental religion. Such a faith as the 
half-way covenant churches required of those that were 
admitted to "/wZZ communion'' — that none but such had 
any right, on their own account, to participate in the or- 
dinances of the church. This question did not touch the 
right of infant baptism upon the faith of parents, but ap- 
plied to those only who on their own account sought the 
privileges of the church, without any profession of exper- 
imental religion. 

I have found no evidence that this question which dis- 
turbed the peace of the church in Mr. Billing's day, and 
caused his dismission, was ever a disturbing subject after 
the settlement of Mr. Forward. The Articles of Faith 
adopted at his settlement, were those of the Reformation, 
and such as have ever been. held by the church since. 
Other trials, however, were visited upon the settlers. The 
war between England and France, in which the Colonies 
were involved, was severe in demands on their time, ser- 
vice, and means of living ; heavy drafts for money and 
men were made repeatedly. In 1757 a draft was made 
for forty one efi'ective militia men to go into that service 
as soldiers. The order was complied with. It embraced 
no small portion of the heads of families in the place, 



NOTES. 

and on whom £heir prosperity in civil and religious af- 
fairs depended. Thirty-two of this number that went 
out were church members ; they were out different lengths 
of time ; it proved a sore calamity to the settlers, and 
would have been such if their pay had been more. Their 
remuneration was very small. At a session of the Gen- 
eral Court, held in June, 1758, an order passed for pay- 
ment of those of the militia who had been out in that 
campaign, as follows : 

For each Colonel, 10' $1,67 per day. 

" Lt. Colonel, 8' 1,33 " 



" Major, 7- 1,17 " 

" Chaplain, 5* 83 " 

" Captain, 5» 83 « 

" Surgeon, 4" S'* 75 " 

" Lieutenant, 3* 9** 62J " 



« 



Ensign, 3» 50 

Adjutant, 3' 50 



Serjeant, 2» 10<* 47 " 

" Corporal, 2' 9"* 46 " 

" Soldier, 2' 8<* 44 " 






ERRATA. 



nth line from top read, '' obey them" for "obey 

it." 
14th line from bottom, read "Rev. Sam'l Wol- 

cott installed' for dismissed. 
\ 3d line from top, read " 1737" for " 1837." 
I Against marginal No. (123), read daughter of 
I (58) for (53). 

[Against marginal No. (230), read (253) for 
I (243.) 

Against marginal No. (260), read (254) for 

(264.) 
Against marginal No. (261), read daughter of 

(233) for (223.) 
Against marginal No (300), read Anna wife of 

(299) for (298.) 
Against marginal No. (316), read John Marshall 

(485) for (585.) 
Against marginal No. (370), read Jotham for 

Jonathan Randall. 
Top of the page, read sister of (655) and (656) 

for (656) and (657) 
I Against marginal No. (704), read daughter of 
i (223) for (233.) 

I Against marginal No. (802), read " Ezra IVard" 
I for "Ezra Wood." 

I Against marginal No. (813), read " Swinington" 
! for " Stowington."' 

6th line from top, read " married for a third 

wife," instead of " second wife." 
8th line from bottom, read "Dr. Horatio Thom- 
son." for "Dr. Horatio T. Johnson." 



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